Papermaking Additive Compositions and Methods and Uses Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present specification discloses papermaking additive compositions, articles of manufacture, containers or kits comprising such compositions, and methods and uses to increase separation of cellulose fibers from a pulp, to remove one or more impurities and/or one or more contaminates from a pulp and/or a paper material and to remove an ink from a pulp and/or a paper material.

This application is a continuation that claims the benefit of priorityand the filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/729,236, filed on Dec. 27, 2019, a continuationthat claims the benefit of priority and the filing date of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/243,958, filed on Aug. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,557,234, a continuation in part that claims the benefit ofpriority and the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/404,917, filed on Dec. 1, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,617,178, a USnational stage filing of PCT Patent Application PCT/US2013/000140, filedon May 24, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority and the filingdate pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/689,077, filed on May 29, 2012; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/243,958 also claims the benefit of priority andthe filing date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/208,662, filed on Aug. 22, 2015, the content ofeach of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Paper is an incredibly important, practical and versatile substance withtens of thousands of different paper-based products being producedyearly. Paper may be impregnated, enamelled, creped, waterproofed,waxed, glazed, sensitised, bent, folded, crumpled, cut, dissolved,macerated, moulded or embossed. Likewise, paper may be laminated withfabrics, plastics and metals. In an effort to organize, the vast arrayof products that can be made from paper can be classified into fivebroad categories: 1) newsprint and magazine; 2) printing and writingpaper; 3) sanitary and household; 4) packaging material and products;and 5) specialized papers. Being such a natural part of our daily lives,we can sometimes forget just how much we rely upon this essential,renewable and evolving resource.

The usefulness of paper products has made a significant impact of theglobal economy. In 2015, worldwide production of paper-based productswas over 300 million tons and was valued at $500 billion. Corrugated andpaperboard containers account for about 30% of industry revenue. Othermajor products include paperboard (15%), bags and coated and treatedpaper (10%) and sanitary paper products (5%). The global pulp and paperindustry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is largely dominated bythe United States and China, both accounting for over 40% of the world'stotal production. However, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Sweden,Finland, Brazil and Indonesia also have significant pulp and paperenterprises. Leading exporting and importing countries include theUnited States and Germany.

In addition to being one of the dominating forces in the industry, theUnited States also consumes more paper-based products than any othercountry in the world, using a third, or about 100 million tons, of apaper-based products produced in 2015. This high use and consumption ofpaper-based products is important to the United States economy. In theUnited States, 450 manufacturing facilities produced products valued atnearly $2 billion. Around 150,000 persons are directly employed by theindustry, creating a payroll approaching $10 billion. It is estimatedthat the pulp and paper industry is the tenth largest employer in theUnited States.

The manufacturing of paper is a mature industry. The fundamentalcomponents and processes currently being used by the pulp and paperindustry have been in place for almost a century. In addition, pulpprocessing and paper making is a high production volume that also useshuge amounts of natural resources such as water and wood, chemicals andenergy to produce pulp and paper. As such, the maturity of the industry,the high production volume, the extensive use of material and energyresources as well as environmental regulations puts a severe economicstrain on manufacturers. However, innovations improving or optimizingthe productivity and/or efficiency of paper production are stillsignificant and valuable. For example, due to the high volume of paperproductions, innovation enhancing productivity and/or efficiency wouldtranslate into tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars in savingsand/or increased profits. In addition, innovations reducing the largeamounts of energy consumption as well as the generation of large amountsof waste water effluent and waste by-products, would address importantenvironmental concerns which would also lead to reduced environmentalimpact and economic relief. As such, there is a great need to improvethe process of making paper.

Accordingly, there is a great need for papermaking additives that arenon-toxic, biodegradable and effective in improving or optimizing theproductivity and/or efficiency of paper production.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present specification disclose papermaking additivecompositions. The disclosed papermaking additive compositions comprisesa treated fermented microbial supernatant and one or more nonionicsurfactants. The disclosed papermaking additive compositions may furthercomprise one or more anionic surfactants. In addition, the disclosedpapermaking additive compositions may optionally further comprise acellulose digesting enzyme. The disclosed papermaking additivecompositions are biodegradable and substantially non-toxic to humans,mammals, plants and the environment.

Aspects of the present specification disclose a papermaking additivekit. The disclosed papermaking additive kit comprises a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein and instructions for how to usethe compositions to improve or optimize the productivity and/orefficiency of paper production.

Aspects of the present specification disclose methods of separatingfibers from a pulp slurry. The disclosed methods comprises applying aneffective amount of a composition disclosed herein to the pulp slurryduring pulping and/or paper production phases. The application resultsin increased separation of fibers from raw materials present in the pulpslurry.

Aspects of the present specification disclose methods of removingimpurities and/or contaminates from pulp and/or paper material. Thedisclosed methods comprises applying an effective amount of apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein to a pulping and/or apaper production phase. The application results in the removal ofimpurities and/or contaminates from the pulp and/or paper material.

Aspects of the present specification disclose methods of deinking pulpand/or paper material. The disclosed methods comprise applying aneffective amount of a composition disclosed herein to a pulping and/orpaper production phases. The application results in the removal of inkfrom the pulp and/or paper material.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for separating fibers from a pulpslurry. The disclosed uses comprises applying an effective amount of thepapermaking additive composition to the pulp slurry during pulpingand/or paper production phases in order to increase separation of fibersfrom raw materials present in the pulp slurry.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for removing impurities and/orcontaminates from pulp and/or paper material. The disclosed usescomprises applying an effective amount of the papermaking additivecomposition to the pulp slurry during pulping and/or paper productionphases in order to remove ink from the pulp and/or paper material.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for deinking pulp and/or papermaterial. The disclosed uses comprises applying an effective amount ofthe papermaking additive composition to the pulp slurry during pulpingand/or paper production phases in order to remove ink from the pulpand/or paper material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-C show time-dependent improvement of homogenization of fiberstreated with a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein inpulping process with FIG. 1A showing freeness of fibers at 10 minutes;FIG. 1B showing freeness of fibers at 20 minutes; and FIG. 1C showingfreeness of fibers at 30 minutes.

FIG. 2 shows refined fibers after treatment with a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Paper is made from cellulosic fibers obtained from plant materials, suchas, e.g., wood from hardwood or softwood trees, rags, flax, cottonlinters and/or bagasse. Reclaimed paper can be recycled to produce newpaper products, where is often blended with virgin fibers. Syntheticmaterials may be used to impart special qualities to a finished paperproduct. Other products made from cellulosic fibers include diapers,rayon, cellulose acetate, and cellulose esters, which are used forcloth, packaging films, and explosives.

Typical woods are comprised of about 40%-50% cellulose, 25%-35%hemicellulose, 15%-30% lignin and 2%-10% extractives. In making paper,one major step is to extract the cellulose from the remainder of theother components. In general, the higher amount of hemicellulose, ligninand extractives present in a paper product, the lower the quality.

Many modern papermaking mills are roughly divided into five distinctoperational phases: 1) the pulping phase; 2) the forming phase; 3) thepressing phase; 4) the drying phase; and 5) the calendering phase. Thelast four phases can be collectively referred to as the paper productionphase. Raw materials are processed and refined in the pulping phase toisolate cellulose fibers from lignin, extractives and other raw materialimpurities and produce a wet slurry or pulp having about 99% watercontent called the furnish. In the forming phase, also known as the wetend, the furnish is dispersed onto a moving screen known as afourdrinier wire in order to drain water from the furnish (by gravity orunder vacuum) to form a continuous mesh of fibers. In the pressingphase, the fiber mesh then passes between large rolls loaded under highpressure to squeeze out as much water as possible to form a pressedsheet. The pressed sheet then enter drying phase where it passes througha series of steam heated drying cylinders which reduces the watercontent down to a level of about 6%. Lastly, in the calendering phasethe dried paper is smoothed and flattened under high loading andpressure using steel rollers to produce the finished untrimmed paperproduct. The untrimmed paper is wound into rolls for use on web-fedpresses, such as newspaper presses, or slit and cut into lengths to makesheets of paper for sheet-fed presses.

During the pulping phase, useful fibers are separated from lignin,extractives (e.g., oleoresins and waxes) and other raw material wasteproducts using chemical and/or mechanical procedures. For example, inchemical procedures, raw material is processed into smaller particles,put into a pressurized kettle, called a digester, along with chemicals(white liquor) and water, and cooked with steam under high pressure.Cooking breaks down the lignin binding material which separates thecellulose fibers from the rest of the raw material. The separated rawmaterial and spent cooking chemicals are then sent to a recoveryprocess, where the pulping chemicals and energy are recovered viamultiple evaporation steps for concentration of pulping waste liquid(black liquor) which can then be burned as fuel.

In mechanical procedures, raw material passes through a grinder where itis ground against a water lubricated rotating stone or the heatgenerated by grinding softens the lignin binding the fibers and themechanized forces separate the fibers to form groundwood. Alternatively,raw material passes through a refiner where it is subjected to intensiveshearing forces between a rotating steel disc and a fixed plate. Thediscs have raised bars on their faces and pass each other with narrowclearance. This action separates the fibers from the rest of the rawmaterial. The shearing action also unravels the fibers, causing thefibrils of the fibers to partially detach and bloom outward. Rawmaterial can also be softened by heating (thermo-mechanical) orimpregnated with a chemical treatment before entering the digester orrefiner to facilitate fibrillation (chemical thermos-mechanical).

Whether fiber separation occurs by chemical, mechanical, or acombination of both procedures, the processed pulp is pumped through asequence of holding tanks commonly called chests for further processing.For example, the pulp can be washed to cleanse the fibers and removeresidual lignin and other impurities as well as screened to remove anyremaining fiber bundles and achieve a more uniform quality andconsistency. The processed pulp can also be mixed in a blending chestwith other processed pulp obtained from different raw material sourcesor recycled paper products in order to create a blended processed pulp.Depending on the type of final paper product being made, the processedpulp can also pass through a series of chests were various fillers areadded to the processed pulp to improve, e.g., opacity, brightness,mechanical strength, smoothness, ink receptivity, as well as otherproperties. For example, bleach or other whitening agents may be addedto whiten the fibers and increase brightness, dyes and pigments may beadded to produce colored papers, opacity agents like calcium carbonate,clay and titanium dioxide increase opacity to enable printing on theboth sides, a sizing agent may be added to increase moisture resistance.The processed pulp can also be treated to remove ink (deinking) andother contaminants, which typically is needed if the raw material wasreclaimed paper products that are being recycled. Lastly, the processedpulp can have its pH adjusted and be diluted with water to form aconsistent furnish for subsequent processing.

A major goal of the pulping phase is to remove as much lignin,extractives and other waste materials from the pulp in order to increasethe amount of separated cellulose fibers present in the pulp, withoutsacrificing fiber integrity and strength in order to achieve a highfiber purity and quality. Another major goal of the pulping phase is toincreasing the surface area of fibers to promoting bonding by, e.g.,causing the fibrils of the fibers to partially detach and bloom outward.Additionally, particularly with respect to recycled paper, another goalis the removal of inks and adhesive contaminants, which can affect thepurity and quality of the final paper product.

Without wishing to be limited by its theory, the presently disclosedpapermaking additive compositions dissolve, disperse, or otherwisedisrupt one or more components of the raw materials used to make pulp.This mechanism of action appears, in part, to be tied to the ability ofthe papermaking additive compositions disclosed herein to break downlignin and/or facilitate the separation of individual cellulose andhemicellulose fibers from fiber bundles. The end result is improvedseparation of cellulose and hemicellulose fibers from fiber bundleswhich ultimately leads to the production of higher quality paperproducts in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. This mechanismof action also appears, in part, to be tied to the ability of thepapermaking additive compositions disclosed herein to break down ink andother organic compounds considered impurities in raw materials obtainedfrom reclaimed paper products.

Regardless of the theory of operation, the disclosed papermakingadditive compositions, methods and uses offer an alternative means ofpaper making that does not rely on chemicals toxic to humans or theenvironment. In addition, the disclosed papermaking additivecompositions, methods and uses results in a better breakdown of ligninand other impurities that facilitates easier recycling of waste waterfor reuse in the pulping or paper production phases which also benefitshumans and the environment. Further, the disclosed papermaking additivecompositions, methods and uses to not require extensive energy input,thereby enabling a reduction of overall energy usage which furtherbenefits humans and the environment. Rather the papermaking additivecompositions, methods and uses disclosed herein appear to increasecellulose fiber separation, increase the surface area of fibers as wellas, remove ink, adhesive and other contaminants, without sacrificingfiber integrity and strength in order to achieve a high fiber purity andquality. In addition, the disclosed papermaking additive compositionsbeen proven to be substantially non-toxic to man and domestic animalsand which have minimal adverse effects on wildlife and the environment.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a papermakingadditive composition. A papermaking additive composition disclosedherein comprises a treated fermented microbial supernatant and one ormore non-ionic surfactants. The treated fermented microbial supernatantlacks any live microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria, andadditionally, lacks any active enzymes, activatable pro-enzymes, or anyenzymatic activity. Additionally, the papermaking additive compositionitself lacks any live microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria, andadditionally, lacks any active enzymes, activatable pro-enzymes, or anyenzymatic activity. A papermaking additive composition disclosed hereinmay be used in any personal or commercial papermaking processes.

In an aspect of this embodiment, a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 75% to about 99% of treatedfermented microbial supernatant and about 1%-25% of one or morenon-ionic surfactants. In another aspect of this embodiment, apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about80% to about 97% of treated fermented microbial supernatant and about3%-20% of one or more non-ionic surfactants. In yet another aspect ofthis embodiment, a papermaking additive composition disclosed hereincomprises, e.g., about 85% to about 95% of treated fermented microbialsupernatant and about 5%-15% of one or more non-ionic surfactants. Instill another aspect of this embodiment, a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 87% to about 93% oftreated fermented microbial supernatant and about 7%-13% of one or morenon-ionic surfactants. In another aspect of this embodiment, apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about88% to about 92% of treated fermented microbial supernatant and about8%-12% of one or more non-ionic surfactants. In another aspect of thisembodiment, a papermaking additive composition disclosed hereincomprises, e.g., about 89% to about 91% of treated fermented microbialsupernatant and about 9%-11% of one or more non-ionic surfactants.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a fermentedmicrobial supernatant. A fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein can be prepared by culturing a yeast strain, a bacterial strain,or a combination of both a yeast strain and a bacterial strain in afermenting medium comprising a sugar source, a malt and a magnesiumsalt. In an aspect of this embodiment, only a single yeast strain isused in a fermenting medium. In another aspect of this embodiment, twoor more different yeast strains are used in a fermenting medium. In yetanother aspect of this embodiment, only a single bacterial strain isused in a fermenting medium. In still another aspect of this embodiment,two or more different bacterial strains are used in a fermenting medium.In another aspect of this embodiment, one or more different yeaststrains are used in conjunction with one or more different bacteria in afermenting medium. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, two, three,four, five or more different yeast strains are used in conjunction withtwo, three, four, five or more different bacteria in a fermentingmedium.

A sugar source includes, without limitation, sucrose from molasses, rawcane sugar, soybeans or mixtures thereof. Molasses generally contains upto about 50% sucrose in addition to reducing sugars such as glucose andmaltase as well as ash, organic nonsugars and some water. The presenceof the sugars of the type found in the molasses is important inencouraging the activity of the enzymes and the yeast bacteria by whichthey are produced. Although the untreated cane blackstrap molasses ispreferred, other molasses such as beet molasses, barrel molasses and thelike may also be used as a natural source of the materials required forthe enzymatic fermentation. The amount of molasses useful in preparing afermenting medium disclosed herein is between 40% and about 80% byweight, and preferably between about 55% and about 75% by weight. Itwill be appreciated that specific amounts of the molasses utilized maybe varied to yield optimum compositions desired.

Raw cane sugar is a sugar product which has not been refined and whichcontains residual molasses as well as other natural impurities. Althoughit is not clearly understood, it has been found that the presence of rawsugar in the fermentation reaction yields significantly improvedproperties as compared to the use of refined sugars which containresidual chemicals used in the decolorization and final purification andrefinement which may have some deleterious effect on the yeast and maltenzymes. It has been found that optimum biological and enzymaticproperties of the disclosed fermenting medium are improved where aportion of the fermentable materials present in the mixture comprisesraw sugar. The amount of raw cane sugar useful in preparing a fermentingmedium disclosed herein may be about 10% and about 40% by weight, andpreferably between about 10% and about 30% by weight. It will beappreciated that specific amounts of the raw cane sugar utilized may bevaried to yield optimum compositions desired.

The essential enzymes which advantageously contribute to thefermentation reaction are provided by the malt and the yeast and/orbacteria. The specific malt utilized is preferably a diastatic maltwhich contains enzymes including diastase, maltase and amylase. The maltalso is believed to improve the activity of the yeast and/or bacteria inaddition to contributing to the overall potency and activity of theenzymatic composition within the final product mixture. The amount ofmalt useful in preparing a fermenting medium disclosed herein may bebetween about 3% and about 15% by weight, and preferably between about7% and about 12% by weight. It will be appreciated that specific amountsof the malt utilized may be varied to yield optimum compositionsdesired.

Fermentation is a metabolic process that results in the breakdown ofcarbohydrates and other complex organic substances into simplersubstances like sugars, acids, gases or alcohol. Fermentation can occursin yeast, bacteria and mold. Fermentation includes ethanol fermentationand lactic acid fermentation. Lactic acid fermentation includeshomolactic fermentation and heterolactic fermentation.

A yeast refers to any fermentation fungi that can be produce the neededenzymes for a fermentation reaction that results in, for example theconversion of carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and alcohols. A numberof enzymes are produced by the active yeast during the fermentationreaction and include both hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes such asinvertase, catalase, lactase, maltase, carboxylase and others. Yeastinclude yeast strains useful in food processing fermentation, such as,e.g., bean-based fermentation, dough-based fermentation, grain-basedfermentation, vegetable-based fermentation, fruit-based fermentation,honey-based fermentation, dairy-based fermentation, fish-basedfermentation, meat-based fermentation and tea-based fermentation. Anon-exhaustive list of particular yeast genera useful in a fermentationreaction disclosed herein include, but is not limited, Brettanomyces,Candida, Cyberlindnera, Cystofilobasidium, Debaryomyces, Dekkera,Fusarium, Geotrichum, Issatchenkia, Kazachstania, Kloeckera,Kluyveromyces, Lecanicillium, Mucor, Neurospora, Pediococcus,Penicillium, Pichia, Rhizopus, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula,Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Thrichosporon, Torulaspora,Torulopsis, Verticillium, Yarrowia, Zygosaccharomyces andZygotorulaspora. Species of yeast useful in a fermentation reactiondisclosed herein belong to, without limitation A non-exhaustive list ofparticular yeast species useful in a fermentation reaction disclosedherein includes, but is not limited, B. anomalus, B. bruxellensis, B.claussenii, B. custersianus, B. naardenensis, B. nanus, C. colliculosa,C. exiguous, C. humicola, C. kefyr, C. krusei, C. milleri, C. mycoderma,C. pelliculosa, C. rugose, C. stellate, C. tropicalis, C. utilis, C.valida, C. vini, C. zeylanoides, Cb. mrakii, Cs, infirmominiatum, D.hansenii, D. kloeckeri, Dk. anomala, Dk. bruxellensis, F. domesticum, G.candidum, I. orientalis, K. exigua, K. unispora, KI. africana, KI. apis,KI. javanica, Ku. lactis, Ku. marxianus, Ku. marxianus, L. lecanii, M.hiemalis, M. plumbeus, M. racemosus, M. racemosus, N. intermedia, P.cerevisiae, Pn. album, Pn. camemberti, Pn. caseifulvum, Pn. chrysogenum,Pn. commune, Pn. nalgiovense, Pn. roqueforti, Pn. solitum, Pi.fermentans, R. microspores, Rs. infirmominiatum, Rt. glutinis, Rt.minuta, Rt. rubra, S. bayanus, S. boulardii, S. carlsbergensis, S.cerevisiae, S. eubayanus, S. paradoxus, S. pastorianus, S. rouzii, S.uvarum, Sc. pombe, Th. beigelii, T. delbrueckii, T. franciscae, T.pretoriensis, T. microeffipsoides, T. globosa, T. indica, T. maleeae, T.quercuum, To. versatilis, V. lecanii, Y. lipolytica, Z. bailii, Z.bisporus, Z. cidri, Z. fermentati, Z. florentinus, Z. kombuchaensis, Z.lentus, Z. mellis, Z. microellipsoides, Z. mrakii, Z. pseudorouxii andZ. rouxii and Zt. florentina. A preferred yeast is Saccharomycescerevisiae commonly available as baker's yeast.

Bacteria refer to any fermentation bacteria that can be produce theneeded enzymes for a fermentation reaction that results in, for examplethe production of alcohols like ethanol or acids like acetic acid,lactic acid and/or succinic acid. A non-exhaustive list of particularbacterial genera useful in a fermentation reaction disclosed hereininclude, but is not limited, Acetobacter, Arthrobacter, Aerococcus,Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Brachybacterium, Brevibacterium,Barnobacterium, Carnobacterium, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus,Escherichia, Gluconacetobacter, Gluconobacter, Hafnia, Halomonas,Kocuria, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Macrococcus,Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Neisseria, Oenococcus, Pediococcus,Propionibacterium, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, Salmonella,Sporolactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces,Tetragenococcus, Vagococcus, Weissells and Zymomonas. A non-exhaustivelist of particular bacterial species useful in a fermentation reactiondisclosed herein includes, but is not limited, A. aceti, A. fabarum, A.lovaniensis, A. malorum, A. orientalis, A. pasteurianus, A.pasteurianus, A. pomorum, A. syzygii, A. tropicalis, Ar. arilaitensis,Ar. Bergerei, Ar. Globiformis, Ar. nicotianae, Ar. variabilis, B.cereus, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus, B. sphaericus, B.stearothermophilus, B. subtilis, B. adolescentis, B. animalis, B.bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. lactis, B. longum, B. pseudolongum,B. thermophilum, Br. alimentarium, Br. alimentarium, Br. tyrofermentans,Br. tyrofermentans, By. aurantiacum, By. casei, By. linens, C.divergens, C. maltaromaticum, C. piscicola, C. ammoniagenes, Co. casei,Co. flavescens, Co. mooreparkense, Co. variabile, E. faecalis, E.faecium, G. azotocaptans, G. diazotrophicus, G. entanii, G. europaeus,G. hansenii, G. johannae, G. oboediens, G. xylinus, Gl. oxydans, H.alvei, Hl. elongate, K. rhizophila, K. rhizophila, K. varians, K.varians, L. acetotolerans, L. acidifarinae, L. acidipiscis, L.alimentarius, L. brevis, L. bucheri, L. cacaonum, L. casei, L.cellobiosus, L. collinoides, L. composti, L. coryniformis, L. crispatus,L. curvatus, L. delbrueckii, L. dextrinicus, L. diolivorans, L.fabifermentans, L. farciminis, L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. ghanensis,L. hammesii, L. harbinensis, L. helveticus, L. hilgardii, L.homohiochii, L. jensenii, L. johnsonii, L. kefiranofaciens, L. kefiri,L. kimchi, L. kisonensis, L. kunkeei, L. mali, L. manihotivorans, L.mindensis, L. mucosae, L. nagelii, L. namuresis, L. nantesis, L.nodensis, L. oeni, L. otakiensis, L. panis, L. parabrevis, L.parabuchneri, L. paracasei, L. parakefiri, L. paralimentarius, L.paraplantarum, L. pentosus, L. perolens, L. plantarum, L. pobuzihii, L.pontis, L. rapi, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. rossiae, L. sakei, L.salivarius, L. sanfranciscensis, L. satsumensis, L. secaliphilus, L.senmaizukei, L. siliginis, L. similis, L. spicheri, L. suebicus, L.sunkii, L. tucceti, L. vaccinostercus, L. versmoldesis, L.yamanashiensis, Lc. lactis, Lc. raffinolactis, Le. carnosum, Le.citreum, Le. fallax, Le. holzapfelii, Le. inhae, Le. kimchi, Le. lactis,Le. mesenteroides, Le. palmae, Le. Pseudomesenteroides, M. caseolyticus,Mb. foliorum, Mb gubbeenense, Mc. luteus, Mc. lylae, P. acidilactici, P.pentosaceus, P. acidipropionici, P. freudenreichii, P. jensenii, P.thoenii, Pr. vulgaris, Ps. fluorescens, Py. ce/er, S. carnosus, S.condiment, S. equorum, S. fleurettii, S. piscifermentans, S.saphrophyticus, S. sciuri, S. simulans, S. succinus, S. vitulinus, S.warneri, S. xylosus, St. cremoris, St. gallolyticus, St. salivarius, St.thermophiles, St. griseus, T. halophilus, T. koreensis, W. beninensis,W. cibaria, W. fabaria, W. ghanesis, W. koreensis, W. paramesenteroides,W. thailandensis, and Z. mobilis.

Mold refer to any fermentation mold that can be produce the neededenzymes for a fermentation reaction that results in, for example theproduction of alcohols like ethanol or acids like acetic acid, lacticacid and/or succinic acid. A non-exhaustive list of particular moldgenera useful in a fermentation reaction disclosed herein include, butis not limited, Aspergillus. A non-exhaustive list of particular moldspecies useful in a fermentation reaction disclosed herein includes, butis not limited, A. acidus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. oryzae, and A.sojae.

It will be appreciated that actual amounts of the various types ofenzymes produced will be dependent on a number of factors including thetypes of molasses and sugar used in preparing the fermentation mixture.However, again it is believed that, in utilizing the molasses and rawsugar, optimum enzyme yields and activity are obtained. In anembodiment, the amount of yeast useful in preparing a fermenting mediumdisclosed herein may be between about 0.2% and about 5% by weight, andpreferably between about 1% and about 3% by weight. It will beappreciated that specific amounts of the yeast utilized may be varied toyield optimum compositions desired.

The presence of a small amount of inorganic catalyst such as a magnesiumsalt enhances the activity of the enzymes not only during thefermentation reaction but thereafter in the product composition inattacking and decomposing the organic waste materials. A preferredmagnesium salt is magnesium sulfate. The amount of magnesium salt usefulin preparing a fermenting medium disclosed herein may be between about0.1% and about 5% by weight, and preferably between about 1% and about3% by weight. It will be appreciated that specific amounts of themagnesium salt utilized may be varied to yield optimum compositionsdesired.

To prepare a fermented microbial supernatant, the molasses, sucrose andmagnesium salt are added to a suitable amount of warm water. Althoughthe specific amount of water used is not particularly critical,typically suitable amounts of water are from about 2 to about 20 timesthe total weight of the other ingredients of the fermenting medium usedin the fermentation reaction. This amount of water is sufficient tofacilitate easy admixture as well as to activate the yeast, bacterialand/or mold and dissolve the other materials. In addition, thetemperature of the water cannot be too hot such that the heatinactivates the malt and yeast enzymes needed for fermentation. Thus,for example, water temperatures greater than about ° C. must be avoidedand preferred temperatures are between about 25° C. to about 45° C. Theuse of cold water may result in unduly slow fermentation reaction ratesand, thus, should also be avoided where increased reaction rates aredesired. After the molasses, sugar and magnesium salt are effectivelymixed and dissolved, the malt and the yeast are added, the mixturestirred and allowed to set until fermentation is essentially complete.The reaction time may be between about 2 and about 5 days attemperatures between about 20° C. and about 45° C. Completion may bereadily ascertained by noting that the effervescence of the reactingmixture has substantially subsided. At the end of the fermentationreaction, the fermented microbial culture is centrifuged to remove the“sludge” formed during the fermentation. The resulting fermentationsupernatant (typically about 90% to about 98% by weight) is collectedfor subsequent treatment.

A fermented microbial supernatant contains bio-nutrients, minerals andamino acids. Bio-nutrients are typically present in an amount of fromabout 0.01% to about 1% of the total weight of fermented microbialsupernatant. Each individual bio-nutrient is typically present in anamount of from about to about 0.01% of the total weight of fermentedmicrobial supernatant. Examples of bio-nutrients include, withoutlimitation, biotin, folic acid, glucans like α-glucan and β-glucan,niacin, insotil, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamine.In aspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatantdisclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 0.00001% to about 0.0011% ofbiotin, about 0.0006% to about of folic acid, about 0.005% to about 15%of niacin, about 0.01% to about 1% of insotil, about to about 0.017% ofpantothenic acid, about 0.0006% to about 0.016% of pyrodoxine, about toabout 0.023% of riboflavin and about 0.001% to about 0.02% of thiamine.In other aspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatantdisclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 0.00006% to about 0.0006% ofbiotin, about 0.001% to about 0.011% of folic acid, about 0.01% to about0.1% of niacin, about 0.08% to about 0.18% of insotil, about 0.002% toabout 0.012% of pantothenic acid, about 0.001% to about 0.011% ofpyrodoxine, about 0.007% to about 0.017% of riboflavin, about 0.003% toabout 0.013% of thiamine. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, afermented microbial supernatant disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about0.00012% to about 0.0006% of biotin, about 0.001% to about 0.011% offolic acid, about 0.01% to about 0.1% of niacin, about 0.08% to about0.18% of insotil, about 0.003% to about 0.013% of pantothenic acid,about 0.001% to about 0.011% of pyrodoxine, about 0.008% to about 0.017%of riboflavin, about 0.003% to about 0.013% of thiamine. In still otheraspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein comprises, e.g., about 0.00009% to about 0.0003% of biotin, aboutto about 0.008% of folic acid, about 0.03% to about 0.07% of niacin,about 0.11% to about 0.15% of insotil, about 0.006% to about 0.01% ofpantothenic acid, about 0.004% to about 0.008% of pyrodoxine, about0.01% to about 0.014% of riboflavin, about 0.006% to about 0.010% ofthiamine.

Minerals are typically present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about20% of the total weight of fermented microbial supernatant. Eachindividual mineral is typically present in an amount of from about toabout 5% of the total weight of fermented microbial supernatant.Examples of minerals include, without limitation, calcium, chromium,copper, iron, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium and zinc. Inaspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein comprises, e.g., about to about 0.3% of calcium, about 0.000002%to about 0.0016% of chromium, about 0.000009% to about 0.0014% ofcopper, about 0.00005% to about 0.02% of iron, about 0.001% to about1.3% of magnesium, about 0.2% to about 14% of phosphate, about 0.4% toabout 16% of potassium, about 0.2% to about 15% of sodium and about0.08% to about 13% of zinc. In other aspects of this embodiment, afermented microbial supernatant disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about0.07% to about 0.21% of calcium, about 0.000007% to about 0.0011% ofchromium, about 0.00004% to about 0.0009% of copper, about to about0.015% of iron, about 0.005% to about 0.9% of magnesium, about 0.7% toabout 9% of phosphate, about 0.9% to about 11% of potassium, about 0.7%to about 10% of sodium and about 0.3% to about 8% of zinc. In yet otheraspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein comprises, e.g., about 0.05% to about 1% of calcium, about0.0001% to about 0.0009% of chromium, about 0.00006% to about 0.0007% ofcopper, about 0.0001% to about 0.013% of iron, about 0.005% to about 1%of magnesium, about 0.1% to about 7% of phosphate, about 0.5% to about9% of potassium, about 0.5% to about 8% of sodium and about 0.5% toabout 6% of zinc. In still other aspects of this embodiment, a fermentedmicrobial supernatant disclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 0.12% toabout of calcium, about 0.0002% to about 0.0006% of chromium, about0.00009% to about 0.0004% of copper, about 0.0006% to about 0.01% ofiron, about 0.01% to about 0.4% of magnesium, about 1% to about 4% ofphosphate, about 2% to about 6% of potassium, about 1% to about 5% ofsodium and about to about 3% of zinc.

Amino acids are typically present in an amount of from about 20% toabout 60% of the total weight of fermented microbial supernatant. Eachindividual amino acid is typically present in an amount of from about0.1% to about 15% of the total weight of fermented microbialsupernatant. Examples of minerals include, without limitation, alanine,arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, lysine,methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, and threonine. In aspects ofthis embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosed hereincomprises, e.g., about 0.2% to about 16% of alanine, about 0.09% toabout 15% of arginine, about 0.4% to about 18% of aspartic acid, about0.003% to about 5% of cysteine, about 0.5% to about 20% of glutamicacid, about 0.09% to about 15% of glycine, about 0.09% to about 15% oflysine, about 0.002% to about 5% of methionine, about 0.09% to about 15%of phenylalanine, about to about 15% of proline, about 0.09% to about15% of serine and about 0.09% to about 15% of threonine. In otheraspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein comprises, e.g., about 0.7% to about 11% of alanine, about 0.5%to about 10% of arginine, about 0.9% to about 13% of aspartic acid,about 0.008% to about 1.2% of cysteine, about 1% to about 15% ofglutamic acid, about 0.5% to about 10% of glycine, about 0.8% to about12% of lysine, about 0.2% to about 1.6% of methionine, about 0.5% toabout 10% of phenylalanine, about 0.5% to about 10% of proline, about0.5% to about 10% of serine and about 0.5% to about 10% of threonine. Inyet other aspects of this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatantdisclosed herein comprises, e.g., about 0.5% to about 9% of alanine,about 0.5% to about 8% of arginine, about 1% to about 11% of asparticacid, about 0.01% to about 2% of cysteine, about 3% to about 13% ofglutamic acid, about 0.5% to about 8% of glycine, about 1% to about 10%of lysine, about 0.3% to about 3% of methionine, about 0.5% to about 7%of phenylalanine, about to about 7% of proline, about 0.5% to about 7%of serine and about 0.5% to about 7% of threonine. In sill other aspectsof this embodiment, a fermented microbial supernatant disclosed hereincomprises, e.g., about 2% to about 6% of alanine, about 1% to about 5%of arginine, about 4% to about 8% of aspartic acid, about 0.03% to about0.7% of cysteine, about 6% to about 10% of glutamic acid, about 1% toabout 5% of glycine, about 3% to about 7% of lysine, about 0.7% to about1.1% of methionine, about 1% to about 5% of phenylalanine, about 1% toabout 5% of proline, about 1% to about 5% of serine and about 1% toabout 5% of threonine.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a treatedfermented microbial supernatant. A treated fermented microbialsupernatant is one that is processed in a manner that denatures, killsor otherwise destroys any remaining live yeast, active enzymescontributed by the yeast and malt as well as any other microorganism orenzymes contributed by another source present in a fermented microbialsupernatant disclosed herein. Non-limiting examples, of useful treatmentprocedures include a boiling process using high temperatures, anautoclaving process using high temperatures and high pressure or anirradiation process by exposing the supernatant to ionizing radiation,or any other sterilization process that denatures, kills or otherwisedestroys any remaining live yeast, active enzymes contributed by theyeast and malt as well as any other microorganism or enzymes contributedby another source present in a fermented microbial supernatant disclosedherein. Furthermore, the above treatment processes could be used alone,in combination with one another, or in combination with a pasteurizationprocess, a chemical sterilization process and a sterile filtrationprocess to denature, kill or otherwise destroys proteins such as enzymesand microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria and/or mold present thefermentation supernatant disclosed herein. All the methods discussedabove are processes known to a person of ordinary skilled in the art asthese are routinely used in the food preparation and/or sterilizationarts.

The treated fermented microbial supernatant can then be stored in liquidform for subsequent use. Alternatively, the treated fermented microbialsupernatant can be spray dried by methods known in the art to produce adry powder. The dry powder form can also be stored for subsequent use.

Any amount of treated fermented microbial supernatant disclosed hereinmay be used in a disclosed papermaking additive composition, with theproviso that the amount is useful to practice the methods and usesdisclosed herein. Factor used in determining an appropriate amountinclude, e.g., whether the treated fermented microbial supernatant is inliquid or powder form, the particular commercial source of the treatedfermented microbial supernatant, the particular method used to producethe treated fermented microbial supernatant, whether the papermakingadditive composition is produced as a concentrate or as a ready as isproduct, and the dilution factor desired when preparing papermakingadditive composition from a concentrate. Typically, a larger amount of aliquid form of the treated fermented microbial supernatant will berequired relative to a dry powder form.

In aspects of this embodiment, the amount of treated fermented microbialsupernatant used is, e.g., about 0.5% by weight, about 1.0% by weight,about 1.5% by weight, about 2.0% by weight, about 2.5% by weight, about3.0% by weight, about 3.5% by weight, about 4.0% by weight, about 4.5%by weight, about by weight, about 6.0% by weight, about 7.0% by weight,about 7.5% by weight, about 8.0% by weight, about 9.0% by weight orabout 10.0% by weight. In other aspects of this embodiment, the amountof treated fermented microbial supernatant used is, e.g., at least 0.5%by weight, at least 1.0% by weight, at least 1.5% by weight, at least2.0% by weight, at least 2.5% by weight, at least 3.0% by weight, atleast 3.5% by weight, at least 4.0% by weight, at least 4.5% by weight,at least 5.0% by weight, at least 6.0% by weight, at least 7.0% byweight, at least 7.5% by weight, at least 8.0% by weight, at least 9.0%by weight or at least by weight. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, the amount of treated fermented microbial supernatant usedis, e.g., at most 0.5% by weight, at most 1.0% by weight, at most 1.5%by weight, at most 2.0% by weight, at most 2.5% by weight, at most 3.0%by weight, at most 3.5% by weight, at most 4.0% by weight, at most 4.5%by weight, at most 5.0% by weight, at most 6.0% by weight, at most 7.0%by weight, at most 7.5% by weight, at most 8.0% by weight, at most 9.0%by weight or at most 10.0% by weight. In still other aspects of thisembodiment, the amount of treated fermented microbial supernatant usedis between, e.g., about 0.1% to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.1% toabout 3.0% by weight, about 0.1% to about 3.5% by weight, about 0.1% toabout 4.0% by weight, about 0.1% to about 5.0% by weight, about to about2.5% by weight, about 0.5% to about 3.0% by weight, about 0.5% to about3.5% by weight, about 0.5% to about 4.0% by weight, about 0.5% to about5.0% by weight, about 1% to about 2.5% by weight, about 1% to about 3.0%by weight, about 1% to about 3.5% by weight, about 1% to about 4.0% byweight, about 1% to about 5.0% by weight, about 1% to about 6.0% byweight, about 1% to about 7.0% by weight, about 1% to about 8.0% byweight, about 1% to about 9.0% by weight or about 1% to about 10.0% byweight.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the amount of treated fermentedmicrobial supernatant used is, e.g., about 15.0% by weight, about 20.0%by weight, about 25.0% by weight, about 30.0% by weight, about 35.0% byweight, about 40.0% by weight, about 45.0% by weight, about 50.0% byweight, about by weight, about 60.0% by weight, about 65.0% by weight,about 70.0% by weight, about 75.0% by weight, about 80.0% by weight,about 85.0% by weight or about 90.0% by weight. In yet other aspects ofthis embodiment, the amount of treated fermented microbial supernatantused is, e.g., at least 15.0% by weight, at least 20.0% by weight, atleast 25.0% by weight, at least 30.0% by weight, at least 35.0% byweight, at least 40.0% by weight, at least 45.0% by weight, at least50.0% by weight, at least 55.0% by weight, at least 60.0% by weight, atleast 65.0% by weight, at least 70.0% by weight, at least 75.0% byweight, at least 80.0% by weight, at least 85.0% by weight or at least90.0% by weight. In still other aspects of this embodiment, the amountof treated fermented microbial supernatant used is, e.g., at most 15.0%by weight, at most 20.0% by weight, at most 25.0% by weight, at most30.0% by weight, at most 35.0% by weight, at most 40.0% by weight, atmost 45.0% by weight, at most 50.0% by weight, at most 55.0% by weight,at most 60.0% by weight, at most 65.0% by weight, at most 70.0% byweight, at most 75.0% by weight, at most 80.0% by weight, at most 85.0%by weight or at most 90.0% by weight.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the amount of treated fermentedmicrobial supernatant used is between, e.g., about 5% to about 7.5% byweight, about 5% to about 10% by weight, about 5% to about 15% byweight, about 5% to about 20% by weight, about 5% to about 25% byweight, about 5% to about 30% by weight, about 5% to about 35% byweight, about 5% to about 40% by weight, about 5% to about 45% byweight, about 5% to about 50% by weight, about 5% to about 55% byweight, about 5% to about 60% by weight, about 5% to about 65% byweight, about 5% to about 70% by weight, about 5% to about 75% byweight, about 5% to about 80% by weight, about 5% to about 85% byweight, about 5% to about 90% by weight, about 5% to about 95% byweight, about 10% to about 15% by weight, about 10% to about 20% byweight, about 10% to about 25% by weight, about 10% to about 30% byweight, about 10% to about 35% by weight, about 10% to about 40% byweight, about 10% to about 45% by weight, about 10% to about 50% byweight, about 10% to about 55% by weight, about 10% to about 60% byweight, about 10% to about 65% by weight, about 10% to about 70% byweight, about 10% to about 75% by weight, about 10% to about 80% byweight, about 10% to about 85% by weight, about 10% to about 90% byweight, about 10% to about 95% by weight, about 15% to about 20% byweight, about 15% to about 25% by weight, about 15% to about 30% byweight, about 15% to about 35% by weight, about 15% to about 40% byweight, about 15% to about 45% by weight, about 15% to about 50% byweight, about 15% to about 55% by weight, about 15% to about 60% byweight, about 15% to about 65% by weight, about 15% to about 70% byweight, about 15% to about 75% by weight, about 15% to about 80% byweight, about 15% to about 85% by weight, about 15% to about 90% byweight, about 15% to about 95% by weight, about 25% to about 25% byweight, about 25% to about 30% by weight, about 25% to about 35% byweight, about 25% to about 40% by weight, about 25% to about 45% byweight, about 25% to about 50% by weight, about 25% to about 55% byweight, about 25% to about 60% by weight, about 25% to about 65% byweight, about 25% to about 70% by weight, about 25% to about 75% byweight, about 25% to about 80% by weight, about 25% to about 85% byweight, about 25% to about 90% by weight, about 25% to about 95% byweight, about 25% to about 30% by weight, about 25% to about 35% byweight, about 25% to about 40% by weight, about 25% to about 45% byweight, about 25% to about 50% by weight, about 25% to about 55% byweight, about 25% to about 60% by weight, about 25% to about 65% byweight, about 25% to about 70% by weight, about 25% to about 75% byweight, about 25% to about 80% by weight, about 25% to about 85% byweight, about 25% to about 90% by weight, about 25% to about 95% byweight, about 30% to about 35% by weight, about 30% to about 40% byweight, about 30% to about 45% by weight, about 30% to about 50% byweight, about 30% to about 55% by weight, about 30% to about 60% byweight, about 30% to about 65% by weight, about 30% to about 70% byweight, about 30% to about 75% by weight, about 30% to about 80% byweight, about 30% to about 85% by weight, about 30% to about 90% byweight, about 30% to about 95% by weight, about 35% to about 40% byweight, about 35% to about 45% by weight, about 35% to about 50% byweight, about 35% to about 55% by weight, about 35% to about 60% byweight, about 35% to about 65% by weight, about 35% to about 70% byweight, about 35% to about 75% by weight, about 35% to about 80% byweight, about 35% to about 85% by weight, about 35% to about 90% byweight, about 35% to about 95% by weight, about 40% to about 45% byweight, about 40% to about 50% by weight, about 40% to about 55% byweight, about 40% to about 60% by weight, about 40% to about 65% byweight, about 40% to about 70% by weight, about 40% to about 75% byweight, about 40% to about 80% by weight, about 40% to about 85% byweight, about 40% to about 90% by weight, about 40% to about 95% byweight, about 45% to about 50% by weight, about 45% to about 55% byweight, about 45% to about 60% by weight, about 45% to about 65% byweight, about 45% to about 70% by weight, about 45% to about 75% byweight, about 45% to about 80% by weight, about 45% to about 85% byweight, about 45% to about 90% by weight, about 45% to about 95% byweight, about 50% to about 55% by weight, about 50% to about 60% byweight, about 50% to about 65% by weight, about 50% to about 70% byweight, about 50% to about 75% by weight, about 50% to about 80% byweight, about 50% to about 85% by weight, about 50% to about 90% byweight, about 50% to about 95% by weight, about 55% to about 60% byweight, about 55% to about 65% by weight, about 55% to about 70% byweight, about 55% to about 75% by weight, about 55% to about 80% byweight, about 55% to about 85% by weight, about 55% to about 90% byweight, about 55% to about 95% by weight, about 60% to about 65% byweight, about 60% to about 70% by weight, about 60% to about 75% byweight, about 60% to about 80% by weight, about 60% to about 85% byweight, about 60% to about 90% by weight, about 60% to about 95% byweight, about 65% to about 70% by weight, about 65% to about 75% byweight, about 65% to about 80% by weight, about 65% to about 85% byweight, about 65% to about 90% by weight, about 65% to about 95% byweight, about 70% to about 75% by weight, about 70% to about 80% byweight, about 70% to about 85% by weight, about 70% to about 90% byweight, about 70% to about 95% by weight, about 75% to about 80% byweight, about 75% to about 85% by weight, about 75% to about 90% byweight, about 75% to about 95% by weight, about 80% to about 85% byweight, about 80% to about 90% by weight, about 80% to about 95% byweight, about 85% to about 90% by weight, about 85% to about 95% byweight or about 90% to about 95% by weight.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a surfactant.Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid,allowing easier spreading, and lowering of the interfacial tensionbetween two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. Either a singlesurfactant may be mixed with the buffered solution disclosed herein, ora plurality of surfactants may be mixed with the buffered solutiondisclosed herein. Useful surfactants, include, without limitation, ionicsurfactants, zwitterionic (amphoteric) surfactants, non-ionicsurfactants, or any combination therein. The surfactant used in a methoddisclosed herein can be varied as appropriate by one skilled in the artand generally depends, in part, on the particular buffer being used, theprotein being eluted, and the conductivity values being employed.

Ionic surfactants include anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactantsinclude ones based on permanent functional groups attached to the head,such as, e.g., sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate carboxylates) or pHdependent anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants include, withoutlimitation, alkyl sulfates like ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodiumlauryl sulfate (SDS); alkyl ether sulfates like sodium laureth sulfateand sodium myreth sulfate; docusates like dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate;sulfonate fluorosurfactants like perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) andperfluorobutanesulfonate; alkyldiphenyloxide Disulfonates like DOWFAX™2A1 (Disodium Lauryl Phenyl Ether Disulfonate), DOWFAX™ 3B2 (DisodiumDecyl Phenyl Ether Disulfonate), DOWFAX™ C10L (Disodium Decyl PhenylEther Disulfonate), DOWFAX™ 2EP, and DOWFAX™ 8390 (Disodium Cetyl PhenylEther Disulfonate); potassium phosphate polyether esters like TRITON™H-55 and TRITON™ H-66; alkyl benzene sulfonates; alkyl aryl etherphosphates; alkyl ether phosphates; alkyl carboxylates like fatty acidsalts and sodium stearate; sodium lauroyl sarcosinate; carboxylatefluorosurfactants like perfluorononanoate and perfluorooctanoate; andSodium Hexyldiphenyl Ether Sulfonate (DOWFAX™ C6L).

Ionic surfactants also include cationic surfactants. Cationicsurfactants include ones based on permanent or pH dependent cationicsurfactants, such as, e.g., primary, secondary or tertiary amines.Cationic surfactants include, without limitation, alkyltrimethylammoniumsalts like cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC); cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC);polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA); benzalkonium chloride (BAC);benzethonium chloride (BZT); 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane;dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride; and dioctadecyldimethylammoniumbromide (DODAB), as well as pH-dependent primary, secondary or tertiaryamines like surfactants where the primary amines become positivelycharged at pH greater than 10, or the secondary amines become charged atpH less than 4, like octenidine dihydrochloride. Other useful anionicsurfactants include bio-based anionic surfactants, including, withoutlimitation, STEPONOL® AM 30-KE, an ammonium lauryl sulfate, andSTEPONOL® EHS, a sodium 2-ethyl hexyl sulfate. Such bio-basedsurfactants are not synthetic molecules, but instead are anionicbiosurfactants derived from organic matter such as plants.

Zwitterionic surfactants are based on primary, secondary or tertiaryamines or quaternary ammonium cation with a sulfonate, a carboxylate, ora phosphate. Zwitterionic surfactants include, without limitation,3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS);sultaines like cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine; betaines likecocamidopropyl betaine; or lecithins.

Non-ionic surfactants are less denaturing and as such are useful tosolubilize membrane proteins and lipids while retaining protein-proteininteractions. Nonionic surfactant include polyether nonionicsurfactants, polyhydroxyl nonionic surfactants and biosurfactants.Nonionic surfactant include alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenolethoxylates, phenol ethoxylates, amide ethoxylates, glycerideethoxylates, fatty acid ethoxylates, and fatty amine ethoxylates. Anonionic surfactant disclosed herein may have the general formula ofH(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC₆H₄R¹, H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OR², or H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC(O)R²,wherein x represents the number of moles of ethylene oxide added to analkyl phenol and/or a fatty alcohol or a fatty acid, R¹ represents along chain alkyl group and, R² represents a long chain aliphatic group.In aspects of this embodiment, R¹ is a C₇-C₁₀ alkyl group and/or R² is aC₁₂-C₂₀ aliphatic group. Other useful non-ionic surfactants includebio-based non-ionic surfactants, including, without limitation,STEPOSOL® MET-10U, a metathesis-derived, nonionic surfactant that is anunsaturated, short chain amide. Such bio-based surfactants are notsynthetic molecules, but instead are non-ionic biosurfactants derivedfrom organic matter such as plants.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants include polyoxyethylene glycolsorbitan alkyl esters (or ethoxylated sorbital esters) like polysorbate20 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 20), polysorbate 40 sorbitan monooleate(TWEEN® 40), polysorbate 60 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 60), polysorbate61 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 61), polysorbate 65 sorbitan monooleate(TWEEN® 65), polysorbate 80 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 80), polysorbate81 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN® 81) and polysorbate 85 sorbitanmonooleate (TWEEN® 85); sorbital esters like sorbitan monooleate,sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate andsorbitan tristearate; polyglycerol esters like glycerol monooleate,glycerol monolaurate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol monostearate,glycerol trioleate, glycerol ricinoleate, glycerol tristearate, monodiglycerides and glycerol triacetate; ethoxylated polyglycerol esters;alkyl glucosides like arachidyl glucoside, C₁₂₋₂₀ alkyl glucoside,caprylyl/capryl glucoside, cetearyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, ethylglucoside and lauryl glucoside. decyl glucoside; ethoxylated alkylglucosides; sucrose esters like sucrose monooleate, sucrose monolaurate,sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monostearate, sucrose trioleate, sucrosericinoleate, sucrose tristearate, sucrose diglycerides and sucrosetriacetate; ethoxylated sucrose ester; amine oxides; ethoxylatedalcohols; ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols; alkylamines; ethoxylatedalkylamines; ethoxylated alkyl phenols like ethoxylated nonyl phenol andethoxylated octyl phenol; alkyl polysaccharides; ethoxylated alkylpolysaccharides; ethoxylated fatty acids like ethoxylated castor oil;ethoxylated fatty alcohols like ethoxylated ceto-oleyl alcohol,ethoxylated ceto-stearyl alcohol, ethoxylated decyl alcohol, ethoxylateddodecyl alcohol and ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol; ethoxylated fattyamines; poloxamers (polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers), likePoloxamer 124 (PLURONIC® L44), Poloxamer 181 (PLURONIC® L61), Poloxamer182 (PLURONIC® L62), Poloxamer 184 (PLURONIC® L64), Poloxamer 188(PLURONIC® F68), Poloxamer 237 (PLURONIC® F87), Poloxamer 338 (PLURONIC®L108), and Poloxamer 407 (PLURONIC® F127); linear secondary alcoholethoxylates like TERGITOL™ 15-S-5, TERGITOL™ 15-S-7, TERGITOL™ 15-S-9,TERGITOL™ 15-S-12, TERGITOL™ TERGITOL™ 15-S-20, TERGITOL™ 15-S-30 andTERGITOL™ 15-S-40; alkyl phenol polyglycol ethers; polyethylene glycolalkyl aryl ethers; polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, likeoctaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, pentaethylene glycol monododecylether, BRIJ® 30, and BRIJ® 35; 2-dodecoxyethanol (LUBROL®-PX);polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers like polyoxyethylene (4-5)p-t-octyl phenol (TRITON® X-45) and polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether(TRITON® X-100); polyoxyethylene glycol alkylphenol ethers likeNonoxynol-9; phenoxypolyethoxylethanols likenonylphenoxypolyethoxylethanol and octylphenoxypolyethoxylethanol(IGEPAL® CA-630 or NONIDET™ P-40); glucoside alkyl ethers like octylglucopyranoside; maltoside alkyl ethers like dodecyl maltopyranoside;thioglucoside alkyl ethers like heptyl thioglucopyranoside; digitonins;glycerol alkyl esters like glyceryl laurate; alkyl aryl polyethersulfates; alcohol sulfonates; sorbitan alkyl esters; cocamideethanolamines like cocamide monoethanolamine and cocamidediethanolamine; sucrose monolaurate; dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, andsodium cholate. Other non-limiting examples of surfactants useful in themethods disclosed herein can be found in, e.g., Winslow, et al., Methodsand Compositions for Simultaneously Isolating Hemoglobin from Red BloodCells and Inactivating Viruses, U.S. 2008/0138790; Pharmaceutical DosageForms and Drug Delivery Systems (Howard C. Ansel et al., eds.,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 7^(th) ed. 1999); Remington:The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (Alfonso R. Gennaro ed.,Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 20th ed. 2000); Goodman & Gilman's ThePharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (Joel G. Hardman et al., eds.,McGraw-Hill Professional, 10^(th) ed. 2001); and Handbook ofPharmaceutical Excipients (Raymond C. Rowe et al., APhA Publications,4^(th) edition 2003), each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Non-ionic surfactants act synergistically to enhance the action of thefermentated microbial supernatant. In addition, it has been establishedthat the non-ionic surfactants used in the papermaking additivecompositions disclosed herein are compatible with enhance chemicalreactions. Thus, in an embodiment, a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein contains only one or more nonionic surfactants. Inanother embodiment, a papermaking additive composition disclosed hereincontains only one or more nonionic surfactants and one or more anionicsurfactants. In another embodiment, a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein does not contain any cationic surfactants. In anotherembodiment, a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein does notcontain any cationic surfactants or zwitterionic surfactants. In anotherembodiment, a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein does notcontain any ionic surfactants. In another embodiment, a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein does not contain any ionicsurfactants or zwitterionic surfactants.

Any amount of surfactant disclosed herein may be used, with the provisothat the amount is useful to practice the methods and uses disclosedherein. In aspects of this embodiment, the amount of surfactant used is,e.g., about 0.01% by weight, about 0.05% by weight, about 0.075% byweight, about 0.1% by weight, about 0.2% by weight, about 0.3% byweight, about 0.4% by weight, about 0.5% by weight, about by weight,about 0.7% by weight, about 0.8% by weight, about 0.9% by weight, about1.0% by weight, about 1.5% by weight, about 2.0% by weight, about 2.5%by weight, about 3.0% by weight, about 4.0% by weight, about 5.0% byweight, about 6.0% by weight, about 7.0% by weight, about 7.5% byweight, about 8.0% by weight, about 9.0% by weight or about 10.0% byweight. In other aspects of this embodiment, the amount of surfactantused is, e.g., at least 0.01% by weight, at least 0.05% by weight, atleast 0.075% by weight, at least 0.1% by weight, at least 0.25% byweight, at least 0.5% by weight, at least 0.75% by weight, at least 1.0%by weight, at least 1.5% by weight, at least 2.0% by weight, at least2.5% by weight, at least 3.0% by weight, at least 4.0% by weight, atleast 5.0% by weight, at least 6.0% by weight, at least 7.0% by weight,at least 7.5% by weight, at least 8.0% by weight, at least 9.0% byweight, or at least 10.0% by weight. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, the amount of surfactant used is, e.g., at most 0.01% byweight, at most 0.05% by weight, at most 0.075% by weight, at most 0.1%by weight, at most 0.25% by weight, at most 0.5% by weight, at most0.75% by weight, at most 1.0% by weight, at most 1.5% by weight, at most2.0% by weight, at most 2.5% by weight, at most 3.0% by weight, at most4.0% by weight, at most by weight, at most 6.0% by weight, at most 7.5%by weight, at most 8.0% by weight, at most 9.0% by weight or at most10.0% by weight.

In still other aspects of this embodiment, the amount of surfactant usedis between, e.g., about by weight to about 0.5% by weight, about 0.1% byweight to about 0.75% by weight, about 0.1% by weight to about 1.0% byweight, about 0.1% by weight to about 1.5% by weight, about 0.1% byweight to about 2.0% by weight, about 0.1% by weight to about 2.5% byweight, about 0.2% by weight to about 0.5% by weight, about 0.2% byweight to about 0.75% by weight, about 0.2% by weight to about 1.0% byweight, about 0.2% by weight to about 1.5% by weight, about 0.2% byweight to about 2.0% by weight, about 0.2% by weight to about 2.5% byweight, about 0.5% by weight to about 1.0% by weight, about 0.5% byweight to about 1.5% by weight, about 0.5% by weight to about 2.0% byweight, about 0.5% by weight to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.5% byweight to about 3.0% by weight, about 0.5% by weight to about 4.0% byweight, about 0.5% by weight to about 5.0% by weight, about 1.0% byweight to about 2.5% by weight, about 1.0% by weight to about 3.0% byweight, about 1.0% by weight to about 4.0% by weight, about 1.0% byweight to about 5.0% by weight, about 1.0% by weight to about 6.0% byweight, about 1.0% by weight to about 7.0% by weight, about 1.0% byweight to about 7.5% by weight, about 1.0% by weight to about 8.0% byweight, about 1.0% by weight to about 9.0% by weight, about 1.0% byweight to about 10.0% by weight, about 2.0% by weight to about 2.5% byweight, about 2.0% by weight to about 3.0% by weight, about 2.0% byweight to about 4.0% by weight, about 2.0% by weight to about 5.0% byweight, about 2.0% by weight to about 6.0% by weight, about 2.0% byweight to about 7.0% by weight, about 2.0% by weight to about 7.5% byweight, about 2.0% by weight to about 8.0% by weight, about 2.0% byweight to about 9.0% by weight, about 2.0% by weight to about 10.0% byweight, about 5.0% by weight to about 6.0% by weight, about 5.0% byweight to about 7.0% by weight, about 5.0% by weight to about 7.5% byweight, about 5.0% by weight to about 8.0% by weight, about 5.0% byweight to about 9.0% by weight, about 5.0% by weight to about 10.0% byweight, about 5.0% by weight to about 11.0% by weight, about 5.0% byweight to about 12.0% by weight, about 5.0% by weight to about 13.0% byweight, about 5.0% by weight to about 14.0% by weight or about 5.0% byweight to about 15.0% by weight.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a pH of apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein. The final pH of apapermaking additive composition is typically acidic as this contributesto a longer shelf-life of the composition. In aspects of thisembodiment, the pH of a papermaking additive composition disclosedherein is, e.g., about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about4.5, about 5, about 5.5 or about 6. In other aspects of this embodiment,the pH of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein is, e.g.,at least 2, at least 2.5, at least 3, at least 3.5, at least 4, at least4.5, at least 5, at least 5.5 or at least 6. In yet other aspects ofthis embodiment, the pH of a papermaking additive composition disclosedherein is, e.g., at most 2, at most 2.5, at most 3, at most 3.5, at most4, at most 4.5, at most 5, at most 5.5 or at most 6. In still otheraspects of this embodiment, the pH of a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein is between, e.g., about 2 to about 3, about 2 to about3.5, about 2 to about 4, about 2 to about 4.5, about 2 to about 5, about2 to about 5.5, about 2 to about 6, about 2.5 to about 3, about 2.5 toabout 3.5, about 2.5 to about 4, about 2.5 to about 4.5, about 2.5 toabout 5, about 2.5 to about 5.5, about 2.5 to about 6, about 3 to about3.5, about 3 to about 4, about 3 to about 4.2, about 3 to about 4.5,about 3 to about 4.7, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 5.2, about 3to about 5.5, about 3 to about 6, about 3.5 to about 4, about 3.5 toabout 4.2, about 3.5 to about 4.5, about 3.5 to about 4.7, about 3.5 toabout 5, about 3.5 to about 5.2, about 3.5 to about 5.5, about 3.5 toabout 6, about 3.7 to about 4.0, about 3.7 to about 4.2, about 3.7 toabout 4.5, about 3.7 to about 5.2, about 3.7 to about 5.5 or about 3.7to about 6.0.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, an enzyme. Apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein may optionally furthercomprise an enzyme. Enzymes useful in pulp and paper production. Includeenzymes that boosting bleaching, increase deinking, modify fiberstructure, increase effluent control, remove pitch and stickies(adhesives) and modify starch all of which lead to enhance productivity,reduce environmental damage and lower energy requirements. For example,amylases are used to cleave starch molecules to reduce viscosity.Xylanases (hemicellulases) are used to cleave hemicellulose, making thebleaching process more effective and increase brightness. Lipases cleavebonds of triglycerides to produce fatty acids and are used to controlpitch in pulping phase. Cellulases and Xylanases hydrolyze microfibrilscausing fiber swelling which make fibers more flexible as well asfacilitate removal of inks and adhesives. Esterases breakdown esterbonds in ink particles and polymers used in toner and adhesives.Non-limiting examples of an enzymes useful in pulp and paper productioninclude a cellulase, a xylanase, a lipase, an esterase, an amylase, apectinase, a catalase, a laccase, a peroxidase, a pulpase DI, a pulpaseRF and a pulpase BL.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a papermakingadditive composition that is biodegradable. A biodegradable papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein is one that is prone to degrading,eroding, resorbing, decomposing, or breaking down to a substantial orsignificant degree once applied according to the methods and usesdisclosed herein. In aspects of this embodiment, at least 75%, at least80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% of apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein biodegrades in, e.g.,about 1 day, about 2 days, about 3 days, about 4 days, about 5 days,about 6 days or about 7 days. In other aspects of this embodiment, atleast 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, atleast 99% of a papermaking additive composition disclosed hereinbiodegrades in, e.g., about 1 to about 2 days, about 1 to about 3 days,about 1 to about 4 days, about 1 to about 5 days, about 1 to about 6days, about 1 to about 7 days, about 2 to about 3 days, about 2 to about4 days, about 2 to about 5 days, about 2 to about 6 days, about 2 toabout 7 days, about 3 to about 4 days, about 3 to about 5 days, about 3to about 6 days, about 3 to about 7 days, about 4 to about 5 days, about4 to about 6 days, about 4 to about 7 days, about 5 to about 6 days,about 5 to about 7 days or about 6 to about 7 days.

In aspects of this embodiment, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% of a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein biodegrades in, e.g., about 7 day, about 8days, about 9 days, about 10 days, about 11 days, about 12 days, about13 days or about 14 days. In other aspects of this embodiment, at least75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least99% of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein biodegradesin, e.g., about 7 to about 8 days, about 7 to about 9 days, about 7 toabout 10 days, about 7 to about 11 days, about 7 to about 12 days, about7 to about 13 days, about 7 to about 14 days, about 8 to about 9 days,about 8 to about 10 days, about 8 to about 11 days, about 8 to about 12days, about 8 to about 13 days, about 8 to about 14 days, about 9 toabout 10 days, about 9 to about 11 days, about 9 to about 12 days, about9 to about 13 days, about 9 to about 14 days, about 9 to about 11 days,about 9 to about 12 days, about 9 to about 13 days, about 9 to about 14days, about 10 to about 11 days, about 10 to about 12 days, about 10 toabout 13 days, about 10 to about 14 days, about 11 to about 12 days,about 11 to about 13 days, about 11 to about 14 days, about 12 to about13 days, about 12 to about 14 days or about 13 to about 14 days.

In aspects of this embodiment, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% of a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein biodegrades in, e.g., about 15 day, about16 days, about 17 days, about 18 days, about 19 days, about 20 days orabout 21 days. In other aspects of this embodiment, at least 75%, atleast 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% of apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein biodegrades in, e.g.,about 15 to about 16 days, about 15 to about 17 days, about 15 to about18 days, about 15 to about 19 days, about 15 to about 20 days, about 15to about 21 days, about 16 to about 17 days, about 16 to about 18 days,about 16 to about 19 days, about 16 to about 20 days, about 16 to about21 days, about 17 to about 18 days, about 17 to about 19 days, about 17to about 20 days, about 17 to about 21 days, about 18 to about 19 days,about 18 to about 20 days, about 18 to about 21 days, about 19 to about20 days, about 19 to about 21 days or about 20 to about 21 days.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, kits comprisingone or more components useful to practice a method or use disclosedherein. Kits provide a convenient enclosure of components useful topractice a method or use disclosed herein to facilitate or enhance acommercial sale. For example, a kit may comprises a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein and one or more other reagents useful topractice a method or use disclosed herein, such as, e.g., one or moredilutants and/or one or more carriers.

Kits typically provide a suitable container, e.g., a box or otherenclosed carrier that contain the one or more components useful topractice a method or use disclosed herein. In addition, kits disclosedherein will typically include separate containers, e.g., a bottle, avial, a flask or other enclosed carrier that contains the one or morecomponents. For example, a container for a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein, and a separate container for the one ormore other reagents included in the kit. Kits can be portable, forexample, able to be transported and used in remote areas such ascommercial or industrial installations or agricultural fields. Otherkits may be of use in a residential building.

A kit disclosed herein may include labels or inserts. Labels or insertsinclude “printed matter” that can be provided as separate material, apacking material (e.g., a box), or attached or affixed to a containercontaining a kit component. Labels or inserts can additionally include acomputer readable medium, such as a disk (e.g., hard disk, flashmemory), optical disk such as CD- or DVD-ROM/RAM, DVD, MP3, magnetictape, or an electrical storage media such as RAM and ROM or hybrids ofthese such as magnetic/optical storage media, FLASH media or memory typecards. Labels or inserts may include identifying information of one ormore components therein, dose amounts, does frequency or timing,information on the individual components. Labels or inserts can includeinformation identifying manufacturer information, lot numbers,manufacturer location and date. Labels or inserts can includeinformation on a condition or situation for which a kit component may beused. Labels or inserts can include instructions for using one or moreof the kit components in a method, or use as disclosed herein.Instructions can include dosage amounts, frequency or duration, andinstructions for practicing any of the methods or uses, or treatmentprotocols described herein as well as warnings on potential hazards orsituations where it would not be appropriate to use the components ofthe kit.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, a method ofseparating fibers from a pulp slurry. A method of separating fibers froma pulp slurry disclosed herein comprises applying an effective amount ofa papermaking additive composition disclosed herein to the pulp slurryduring a pulping and/or a paper production phase. The applicationresulting in increased separation of fibers from raw materials presentin the pulp slurry.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, methods ofremoving impurities and/or contaminates from pulp and/or paper material.A method of removing impurities and/or contaminates from pulp and/orpaper material during paper production disclosed herein comprisesapplying an effective amount of a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein to a pulping and/or a paper production phase. Theapplication results in the removal of impurities and/or contaminatesfrom the pulp and/or paper material produced by the pulping and/or thepaper production phases.

Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, methods ofremoving ink from pulp and/or paper material. A method of removing inkfrom pulp and/or paper material disclosed herein comprises applying aneffective amount of a papermaking additive composition disclosed hereinto a pulping and/or a paper production phase. The application results inthe removal of ink from the pulp and/or paper material produced by thepulping and/or the paper production phases.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for separating fibers from a pulpslurry. Use of a papermaking additive for separating fibers from a pulpslurry disclosed herein comprises applying an effective amount of apapermaking additive composition to the pulp slurry during a pulpingand/or a paper production phase in order to increase separation offibers from raw materials present in the pulp slurry.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for removing impurities and/orcontaminates from pulp and/or paper material. The disclosed usescomprises applying an effective amount of the papermaking additivecomposition to the pulp slurry during a pulping and/or a paperproduction phase in order to remove impurities and/or contaminates frompulp and/or paper material produced by the pulping and/or the paperproduction phases.

Aspects of the present specification disclose uses of a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein for removing ink from pulp and/orpaper material. The disclosed uses comprises applying an effectiveamount of the papermaking additive composition to the pulp slurry duringa pulping and/or a paper production phase in order to remove ink frompulp and/or paper material produced by the pulping and/or the paperproduction phases.

An impurity and/or contaminate typically comprise resins, waxes, fats,fatty acids and their esters, and unsaponifiable substances,photosterols, salts and other water-soluble substances and non-volatilehydrocarbons as well as inks, adhesives, plastics and other additives.Such impurities and/or contaminates are generally referred to asextractives. Inks are made up of pigment, pigment carrier and additivesformulated to reduce smudging, picking and other printing problemsassociated with ink.

The combination of the nonionic surfactant and the treated fermentedmicrobial supernatant in the papermaking additive compositions disclosedherein results in an accelerated in situ chemical reactions of themolecular structures, particularly chemical bonds present inpolysaccharide and lipid-based components, present in the raw materialsused to make pulp and paper material, particularly chemical bonds andlipid-based components. The in situ chemical reactions dissolve,disperse, or otherwise disrupt one or more components of the rawmaterial.

Without wishing to be limited by any theory, upon application of apapermaking additive composition in an aqueous environment, highlyreactive, uniquely structured, ultra-fine microbubbles are spontaneouslyformed. These “functionalized” microbubbles comprise an outer “highlyreactive” shell composed of one or more nonionic surfactants andcomponents from the treated fermented microbial supernatant and an innercore containing air. The “highly reactive” shell enables a dramaticincrease in the mass transfer of oxygen in an aqueous environment and anaccelerated bio-catalysis of the molecular structures of compounds,which in combination provide a synergistic functionality. With respectto mass transfer of oxygen, this functionality increases transfer ratesof oxygen and raises the level of dissolved oxygen in an aqueousenvironment which far exceeding the solubility limits anticipated byHenry's Law, and, are at levels that simply cannot be achieved throughmechanical aeration systems. It appears that components from the treatedfermented microbial supernatant interfere with the ability of thenonionic surfactants to create a well-organized micellar shell. Theresult is a loose molecular packing of these fermentation components andsurfactants that “functionalized” the shell to be more gas permeable,thereby creating more favorable conditions for mass gas transfer. Assuch, this oxygen transfer function increases the availability of oxygenin an aqueous environment. With respect to accelerated bio-catalysis,this functionality lowers the transition of energy required for acatalytic reaction to occur by providing a reaction platform thatincreases localized concentrations of reactants, enables donation ofelectrons and facilitate chemical reactions at electron poor sites. Assuch, this bio-catalysis function mediates cleavage of chemical bonds,including glycosidic and ester bonds, present in a compound. As such,the “functionalized” shell of the microbubbles have catalytic activitiesthat like conventional enzyme systems, but without the need of anyenzymes. Thus, application of a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein creates “functionalized: microbubbles that increaseoxygen dispersion resulting in higher dissolved oxygen levels andaccelerate molecular interactions resulting in catalytic breakdown ofcompounds.

When in contact with raw material used to make pulp, the“functionalized” shell chemically interacts with lignin and thelipid-based components of the material in a manner that enables donationof electrons or reactions at electron poor sites that mediates cleavageof chemical bonds, including glycosidic and ester bonds, present inlignin and other extractives. Similarly, when in contact with impuritiesor contaminants including ink the “functionalized” shell chemicallyinteracts with the impurities and contaminants in a manner that enablesdonation of electrons or reactions at electron poor sites that mediatescleavage of chemical bonds, including glycosidic and ester bonds,present in the impurities and contaminants. These interactions appearsto be a form of hydrolysis using beta-oxidation where, in addition torelying on components of the “functionalized” shell, oxygen present inthe core of the microbubble is also utilized. Thus, the propertiespresent in the “functionalized” shell works synergistically with theoxygen transfer capabilities of the core to enhance the in situ breakingof chemical bonds, including glycosidic and ester bonds, present inlignin, extractives, impurities and contaminants.

Application of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein canbe by any method that exposes a raw material, an impurity and/or acontaminant to the disclosed papermaking additive compositions in amanner that provides adequate breakage of bonds one or more componentsof the raw material, the impurity and/or the contaminant. For example,exposure can be by applying a papermaking additive composition to pulpcontained in a holding tank during the pulping phase, to the furnishbeing stored in a holding tank, or to the furnish during the formingphase.

An undiluted form of the papermaking additive composition disclosedherein can be used in the methods and uses disclosed herein.Alternatively, it may desirable to dilute the papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein, and those skilled in the art are awarethat dilutions of such compositions can be used. Dilution of apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein is typically doneusing water, although other appropriate diluents may be used so long asthey are compatible with the formation of microbubbles as disclosedherein. In aspects of this embodiment, a papermaking additivecomposition is diluted to a ratio of, e.g., 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, 1:75,1:100, 1:200, 1:300, 1:400, 1:500, 1:600, 1:700, 1:800, 1:900, 1:1000,1:2000, 1:3000, 1:4000, 1:5000, 1:6000, 1:7000, 1:8000, 1:9000, 1:10000,1:20000, 1:30000, 1:40000, 1:50000, 1:60000, 1:70000, 1:80000, 1:90000or 1:100000. In other aspects of this embodiment, a papermaking additivecomposition is diluted to a ratio of, e.g., at least 1:10, at least1:25, at least 1:50, at least 1:75, at least 1:100, at least 1:200, atleast 1:300, at least 1:400, at least 1:500, at least 1:600, at least1:700, at least 1:800, at least 1:900, at least 1:1000, at least 1:2000,at least 1:3000, at least 1:4000, at least 1:5000, at least 1:6000, atleast 1:7000, at least 1:8000, at least 1:9000, at least 1:10000, atleast 1:20000, at least 1:30000, at least 1:40000, at least 1:50000, atleast 1:60000, at least 1:70000, at least 1:80000, at least 1:90000 orat least 1:100000. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, apapermaking additive composition is diluted to a ratio of, e.g., at most1:10, at most 1:25, at most 1:50, at most 1:75, at most 1:100, at most1:200, at most 1:300, at most 1:400, at most 1:500, at most 1:600, atmost 1:700, at most 1:800, at most 1:900, at most 1:1000, at most1:2000, at most 1:3000, at most 1:4000, at most 1:5000, at most 1:6000,at most 1:7000, at most 1:8000, at most 1:9000, at most 1:10000, at most1:20000, at most 1:30000, at most 1:40000, at most 1:50000, at most1:60000, at most 1:70000, at most 1:80000, at most 1:90000 or at most1:100000.

In still other aspects of this embodiment, a papermaking additivecomposition is diluted to a ratio of, e.g., about 1:1 to about 1:10,about 1:1 to about 1:25, about 1:1 to about 1:50, about 1:1 to about1:75, about 1:1 to about 1:100, about 1:2 to about 1:10, about 1:2 toabout 1:25, about 1:2 to about 1:50, about 1:2 to about 1:75, about 1:2to about 1:100, about 1:10 to about 1:25, about 1:10 to about 1:50,about 1:10 to about 1:75, about 1:10 to about 1:100, about 1:10 to about1:125, about 1:10 to about 1:150, about 1:10 to about 1:175, about 1:10to about 1:200, about 1:10 to about 1:225, about 1:10 to about 1:250,about 1:50 to about 1:100, about 1:50 to about 1:200, about 1:50 toabout 1:300, about 1:50 to about 1:400, about 1:50 to about 1:500, about1:50 to about 1:600, about 1:50 to about 1:700, about 1:50 to about1:800, about 1:50 to about 1:900, about 1:50 to about 1:1000, about1:100 to about 1:200, about 1:100 to about 1:300, about 1:100 to about1:400, about 1:100 to about 1:500, about 1:100 to about 1:600, about1:100 to about 1:700, about 1:100 to about 1:800, about 1:100 to about1:900, about 1:100 to about 1:1000, about 1:500 to about 1:1000, about1:500 to about 1:2000, about 1:500 to about 1:3000, about 1:500 to about1:4000, about 1:500 to about 1:5000, about 1:500 to about 1:6000, about1:500 to about 1:7000, about 1:500 to about 1:8000, about 1:500 to about1:9000, about 1:500 to about 1:10000, about 1:1000 to about 1:2000,about 1:1000 to about 1:3000, about 1:1000 to about 1:4000, about 1:1000to about 1:5000, about 1:1000 to about 1:6000, about 1:1000 to about1:7000, about 1:1000 to about 1:8000, about 1:1000 to about 1:9000,about 1:1000 to about 1:10000, about 1:5000 to about 1:10000, about1:5000 to about 1:20000, about 1:5000 to about 1:30000, about 1:5000 toabout 1:40000, about 1:5000 to about 1:50000, about 1:5000 to about1:60000, about 1:5000 to about 1:70000, about 1:5000 to about 1:80000,about 1:5000 to about 1:90000, about 1:5000 to about 1:100000, about1:10000 to about 1:20000, about 1:10000 to about 1:30000, about 1:10000to about 1:40000, about 1:10000 to about 1:50000, about 1:10000 to about1:60000, about 1:10000 to about 1:70000, about 1:10000 to about 1:80000,about 1:10000 to about 1:90000, about 1:10000 to about 1:100000.

Application of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein is inan effective amount. An effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition can be an amount sufficient achieve a high fiberpurity and quality. In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amountcauses an increase in cellulose fiber separation, an increase in thesurface area of fibers, removal of an ink, an adhesive and/or otherimpurity or contaminant, or any combination thereof. Preferentially,such an effective amount will not harm fiber integrity and strength. Theactual effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive compositionis determined by routine screening procedures employed to evaluatecontrolling activity and efficacy of a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein. Such screening procedures are well known by thoseskilled in the art. It is expected that a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein having a higher level of activity can beused in smaller amounts and concentrations, while those having a lowerlevel of activity may require larger amounts or concentrations in orderto achieve the same controlling effect.

An effective amount of a papermaking additive composition disclosedherein can be assessed by the purity and quality of pulp and paperproducts produced. The Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry(TAPPI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)have established standard methods of evaluating processed pulp purityand quality, see, e.g., TAPPI Standard T 203 cm-99 Alpha-, Beta- andGamma-Cellulose in Pulp; TAPPI Standard T 235 cm-85 Alkali SolubilityR10 and R18; TAPPI Standard T 430 cm-09 Copper Number of Pulp, Paper andPaperboard; TAPPI Standard T 236 cm-99 Kappa Number of Pulp; TAPPIStandard T 230 om-99 Viscosity of Pulp; TAPPI Standard T 452 om-08Brightness of Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard; TAPPI Standard T 235 cm-85Carboxyl Content; TAPPI Standard T 204 cm-97 Solvent Extractives of Woodand Pulp; and TAPPI Standard T 211 om-93 Ash in Wood Pulp, Paper andPaperboard: Combustion at 525° C.

One aspect of high fiber purity and quality is pulp yield. Generally,the higher the yield of cellulosic material from the raw material thebetter the fiber purity and quality. Typical woods are comprised ofabout 40%-50% cellulose and 25%-35% hemicellulose. Extraction of over70% cellulosic material is generally considered a high pulp yield.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to cause a high pulp yield.In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to cause a pulpyield of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 86%,about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or about 99%.In other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to cause a pulpyield of, e.g., at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%. In yet otheraspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to cause a pulpyield of, e.g., at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, atmost 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, atmost 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a pulp yield of,e.g., about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to about85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about99%, about 85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about97%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about95%, about 90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about97% or about 95% to about 99%.

In another embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in ahigh pulp yield. In aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a pulp yield of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%,about 80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%,about 97%, about 98% or about 99%. In other aspects of this embodiment,a method or use disclosed herein results in a pulp yield of, e.g., atleast 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, atleast 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, atleast 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, atleast 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a pulp yield of,e.g., at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%,at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, atmost 98% or at most 99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, amethod or use disclosed herein results in a pulp yield of, e.g., about70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%, about70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to about 85%, about75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 99%, about80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about 95%, about93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about 97% orabout 95% to about 99%.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the amount of alpha-,beta- and gamma-cellulose content present in the processed pulp or paperproduct produced. In general, alpha-cellulose is an indicator of intact,higher-molecular-weight cellulose content in pulp, beta-cellulose is anindicator of degraded cellulose, and the gamma-cellulose is an indicatorof hemicellulose. There are several assays which measure cellulosicmaterial content in processed pulp.

In a cellulose content assay, alpha-, beta- and gamma-cellulosefractions are separated using a mercerizing caustic solution wherealpha-cellulose remains insoluble, beta-cellulose is precipitated out ofsolution upon acid addition, and gamma-cellulose remains in solution.For example, alpha-cellulose is the pulp fraction resistant to 17.5% and9.45% sodium hydroxide solution under conditions of the test.Beta-cellulose is the soluble fraction which is reprecipitated onacidification of the solution; gamma-cellulose is that fractionremaining in the solution. The soluble fractions containingbeta-cellulose and gamma cellulose are determined volumetrically byoxidation with potassium dichromate and the alpha-cellulose, as theinsoluble fraction, is derived by difference using the followingformulas: AC %=100−[6.85(V₂−V₁)×N×20]/A×W, where AC % is the percentalpha-cellulose, V₁ is the titration, in milliliters, of the pulpfiltrate, V₂ is the titration, in milliliters, of the blank, N is theexact normality of the ferrous ammonium sulfate solution, A is thevolume, in milliliters, of the pulp filtrate used in the oxidation, andW is the oven-dry weight, in grams, of the pulp specimen. GC %=[6.85(V4−V3)×N×20]/(25×W), where GC % is the percent gamma-cellulose, V₃ isthe titration, in milliliters, of the solution after precipitation ofbeta-cellulose, V₄ is the titration, in milliliters, of the blank, N isthe exact normality of the ferrous ammonium sulfate solution and W isthe oven-dry weight, in grams, of the pulp specimen. BC %=100−(AC %+GC%), where BC % is the percent beta-cellulose, where AC % is the percentalpha-cellulose and where GC % is the percent gamma-cellulose. Astandardized cellulose content assay is described in, e.g., TAPPIStandard T 203 cm-99 Alpha-, Beta- and Gamma-Cellulose in Pulp, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In an alkali resistance assay, retention of cellulosic material using atleast two different percent alkali solutions provide information on highmolecular weight carbohydrates (intact cellulose or alpha-cellulose) inprocessed pulp. The alkali is typically sodium hydroxide and theconcentrations most frequently used are 18%, 10%, and 5% (m/m). Forexample, a 10% sodium hydroxide solution dissolves both degradedcellulose and hemicellulose which provides an indication on the totalamount of insoluble cellulosic material (retention in 10% alkali or R₁₀value). As such, the R₁₀ value includes the amount of alpha-cellulose(intact cellulose). However, only hemicellulose is soluble in an 18%sodium hydroxide solution which provides an estimate on the amount ofboth alpha- and beta-cellulose that remains in the insoluble fraction(retention in 18% alkali or R₁₈ value). To perform the alkali solubilityassay, pulp, a known mass of oven-dried processed pulp is treated withsodium hydroxide solution for 60 minutes at 20° C., washed in aceticacid and the insoluble cellulosic material is dried and weighed. Alkaliresistance, R_(c), is expressed as a percentage by mass using thefollowing formula: m₁×100/m₀, where R_(c) is alkali resistance, m₀ isthe mass in grams of the test portion calculated on an oven dry basis,and m₁ is the oven dry mass in grams of the alkali-insoluble fraction.When the alkali resistance assay is performed using 10% alkalisolutions, R_(c) is referred to as R₁₀, when performed using 18% alkalisolutions, R_(c) is referred to as R₁₀. A standardized alkali solubilityassay is described in, e.g., ISO Standard 699:2015 Pulps—Determinationof Alkali Resistance, the content of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In an alkali solubility assay, solubility of cellulosic material at twodifferent percent alkali solutions provide information on low molecularweight carbohydrates (degraded cellulose or beta-cellulose) andhemicellulose in processed pulp. The alkali is typically sodiumhydroxide and the concentrations most frequently used are 18% and 10%(m/m). For example, a 10% sodium hydroxide solution dissolves bothdegraded cellulose and hemicellulose which provides an indication on thetotal amounts of soluble cellulosic material in basic solutions(solubility in 10% alkali or S₁₀ value). As such, the S₁₀ value includesthe sum of hemicellulose and beta-cellulose (degraded cellulose).However, hemicellulose is soluble in an 18% sodium hydroxide solutionwhich provides an estimate on the amount of residual hemicellulosepresent in the pulp (solubility in 18% alkali or S₁₈ value). As such,beta-cellulose (degraded cellulose) can be determined by subtracting theS₁₀ value from the Sm value (Sm minus S₁₀). In addition, alpha-cellulosecontent can be calculated based on the alkali solubility assay bydetermining the total amount of cellulosic material and subtracting theS₁₀ value. To perform the alkali solubility assay, pulp is treated withsodium hydroxide solution and oxidation of the dissolved organic matterwith potassium dichromate. Ammonium iron(II) sulphate is used to titrateexcess potassium dichromate and the amount of potassium dichromateconsumed is used to calculate the cellulose equivalent. The solublefraction of cellulose is expressed as a percentage by mass of theoven-dry pulp using the following formula: S_(c)=6.85 (V₂−V₁)×c×100/m×V,where S_(c) is alkali solubility, V is the volume, in milliliters, offiltrate used in the oxidation, V₁ is the volume, in milliliters, ofammonium iron(II) sulphate solution consumed in the titration of thetest solution, V₂ is the volume, in milliliters, of ammonium iron(II)sulphate solution consumed in the blank test, c is the concentration, inmoles per liter, of the ammonium iron(II) sulphate solution, m is themass, in grams, of the test portion calculated on an oven-dry basis; and6.85 is the empirical factor, in milligrams, indicating the amount ofcellulose equivalent to ⅙ mol of potassium dichromate. When the alkalisolubility assay is performed using 10% alkali solutions, S_(c) isreferred to as S₁₀, when performed using 18% alkali solutions, S_(c) isreferred to as S₁₈. Standardized alkali solubility assays are describedin, e.g., TAPPI Standard T 235 cm-09 Alkali Solubility of Pulp at 25° C.and ISO Standard 692 Pulps—Determination of Alkali Solubility, thecontent of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

In a pulp viscosity assay, the viscosity of processed pulp isdetermined. The viscosity of a pulp is an indicator of the averagedegree of polymerization of the cellulose. Higher pulp viscosity is anindicator of longer cellulose chain length and lesser degradation. Assuch, the higher the pulp viscosity the more intact,higher-molecular-weight cellulose (alpha-cellulose) is present in theprocessed pulp and, conversely, the less degraded cellulose(beta-cellulose) that is present in the pulp. A standardized pulpviscosity assay is described in, e.g., TAPPI Standard T 230 om-99Viscosity of Pulp, the content of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a highalpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp. In aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in an alpha-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about 80%,about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%,about 98% or about 99%. In aspects of this embodiment, an effectiveamount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is an amountsufficient to result in an alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulpof, e.g., at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, atleast 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%. In yet otheraspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in analpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp of, e.g., at most 70%, atmost 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, atmost 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of adisclosed papermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient toresult in an alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp of, e.g.,about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%,about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to about 85%,about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 99%,about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%,about 85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%,about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%,about 90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about 95%,about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about 97%or about 95% to about 99%.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a lowbeta-cellulose content of the processed pulp. In aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a beta-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., about 5%, about 10%, about 15%,about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%. In aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a beta-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., at most 5%, at most 10%, at most15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%. In aspects ofthis embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a beta-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., about 5% to about 10%, about 5%to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% toabout 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to about 15%, about 10% toabout 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% toabout 35%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% toabout 30%, about 15% to about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% toabout 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% toabout 35% or about 30% to about 35%.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a lowgamma-cellulose content of the processed pulp. In aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a gamma-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., about 5%, about 10%, about 15%,about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%. In aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a gamma-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., at most 5%, at most 10%, at most15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%. In aspects ofthis embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a gamma-cellulosecontent of the processed pulp of, e.g., about 5% to about 10%, about 5%to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% toabout 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to about 15%, about 10% toabout 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% toabout 35%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% toabout 30%, about 15% to about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% toabout 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% toabout 35% or about 30% to about 35%.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a highviscosity of a processed pulp. In aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a viscosity of a processed pulp of, e.g.,about 5 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s, about 25mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s, about 45 mPa·s orabout 50 mPa·s. In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of adisclosed papermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient toresult in a viscosity of a processed pulp of, e.g., at least 5 mPa·s, atleast 10 mPa·s, at least 15 mPa·s, at least 20 mPa·s, at least 25 mPa·s,at least 30 mPa·s, at least 35 mPa·s, at least 40 mPa·s, at least 45mPa·s or at least 50 mPa·s. In yet aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a viscosity of a processed pulp of, e.g.,at most 5 mPa·s, at most 10 mPa·s, at most 15 mPa·s, at most 20 mPa·s,at most 25 mPa·s, at most 30 mPa·s, at most 35 mPa·s, at most 40 mPa·s,at most 45 mPa·s or at most 50 mPa·s. In yet aspects of this embodiment,an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition isan amount sufficient to result in a viscosity of a processed pulp of,e.g., about 5 mPa·s to about 10 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s,about 5 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about5 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 5mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·sto about 50 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s toabout 20 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s toabout 30 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s toabout 40 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about50 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 25mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 35mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 45mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 25mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 35mPa·s, about mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s,about 20 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s,about 25 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s,about 25 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s,about 30 mPa·s to about mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about30 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 35mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 35mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 40mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s or about 45 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a high alpha-cellulose content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving an alpha-cellulose content of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%,about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about97%, about 98% or about 99%. In aspects of this embodiment, a method oruse disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having analpha-cellulose content of, e.g., at least 70%, at least 75%, at least80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp having an alpha-cellulose content of,e.g., at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%,at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, atmost 98% or at most 99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, amethod or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having analpha-cellulose content of, e.g., about 70% to about 80%, about 70% toabout 85%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% toabout 99%, about 75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% toabout 95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% toabout 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%, about 85% toabout 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% toabout 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 97%, about 90% toabout 99%, about 93% to about 95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% toabout 99%, about 95% to about 97% or about 95% to about 99%.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a low beta-cellulose content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a beta-cellulose content of, e.g., about 5%, about 10%, about15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a beta-cellulose content of, e.g., at most 5%, at most 10%, atmost 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%. Inaspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results ina processed pulp having a beta-cellulose content of, e.g., about 5% toabout 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% toabout 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% toabout 15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% toabout 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% toabout 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 35%, about 20% toabout 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 25% toabout 30%, about 25% to about 35% or about 30% to about 35%.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a low gamma-cellulose content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a gamma-cellulose content of, e.g., about 5%, about 10%, about15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a gamma-cellulose content of, e.g., at most 5%, at most 10%, atmost 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%. Inaspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results ina processed pulp having a gamma-cellulose content of, e.g., about 5% toabout 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% toabout 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% toabout 15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% toabout 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% toabout 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 35%, about 20% toabout 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 25% toabout 30%, about 25% to about 35% or about 30% to about 35%.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a high viscosity. In aspects of this embodiment, amethod or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having aviscosity of, e.g., about 5 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s, about20 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s, about 40mPa·s, about 45 mPa·s or about 50 mPa·s. In aspects of this embodiment,a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having aviscosity of, e.g., at least 5 mPa·s, at least 10 mPa·s, at least 15mPa·s, at least 20 mPa·s, at least 25 mPa·s, at least mPa·s, at least 35mPa·s, at least 40 mPa·s, at least 45 mPa·s or at least 50 mPa·s. In yetaspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results ina processed pulp having a viscosity of, e.g., at most 5 mPa·s, at most10 mPa·s, at most 15 mPa·s, at most 20 mPa·s, at most 25 mPa·s, at most30 mPa·s, at most 35 mPa·s, at most 40 mPa·s, at most 45 mPa·s or atmost 50 mPa·s. In yet aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a viscosity of,e.g., about mPa·s to about 10 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s,about 5 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 5mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about mPa·s toabout 40 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about50 mPa·s, about mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 20mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 30mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 40mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 50mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s,about 15 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s,about 15 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s,about 15 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s,about 20 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s,about 20 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s,about mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about25 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 25mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 30mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 30mPa·s to about mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·sto about 40 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s toabout 50 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s toabout 50 mPa·s or about 45 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the amount of lignin,extractives and other impurities present in the processed pulp or paperproduct produced. In general, the lower the amount of lignin,extractives and other impurities in pulp, the higher the purity andintegrity of cellulosic material in processed pulp. Typical woods arecomprised of about 15%-30% lignin and 2%-10% extractives. There areseveral assays which measure lignin content in processed pulp.

In the Kappa number assay, the kappa number is an indicator of thehardness, bleachability and delignification of the processed pulp. Thekappa number is defined as the volume in milliliters of 0.1 N potassiumpermanganate (KMnO₄) consumed by one gram of moisture-free pulp in anacidic medium under defined time and temperature conditions. The Kappanumber has a range of 1 to 100 and is an assessment of how much ligninis present in pulp, which determines the amount of bleach that needs tobe added to it if the goal is a white processed paper product. HighKappa numbers require more bleach, while lower numbers have less ligninand need less bleach. To perform the Kappa number assay, a knownquantity of processed pulp is allowed to react with equal amounts of 4 Nsulfuric acid and 0.1 N potassium permanganate solution for a giventime. The amount of pulp is chosen so that about 50% of the totaloxidation capacity of the permanganate is left unconsumed at the end ofthe reaction time. Potassium iodine solution is added to the testsolution and sodium thiosulphate is then used to titrate excess iodineand the amount of potassium permanganate consumed is used to calculatethe lignin equivalent. Kappa number, K, is determined using thefollowing formula: K=p×f/w and p=(b−a)N/0.1, where K is the Kappanumber, f is a factor for correction to a 50% permanganate consumption,dependent on the value of p, w is the weight, in grams, of moisture-freepulp in the specimen, p is the amount, in milliliters, of 0.1 Npermanganate actually consumed by the test specimen, b is the amount, inmilliliters, of the thiosulfate consumed in the blank determination, ais the amount, in milliliters, of the thiosulfate consumed by the testspecimen, and N is the normality of the thiosulfate. The Kappa numberfor bleachable pulps are in the range of 25-30, sack paper pulps in therange 45-55 and pulps for corrugated fiberboard are in the range 60-90.The Kappa number can also monitor the effectiveness of thelignin-extraction from processed pulp because the number isapproximately proportional to the residual lignin content of the pulp.The following formula can be used: K=cl, where K is the Kappa number, cis a constant having the value of about 6.57, depending on process andraw material used, and l is the lignin content in percent. Standardizedkappa number assays are described in, e.g., TAPPI Standard T 236 cm-99Kappa Number of Pulp, ISO Standard 302:2015 Determination of KappaNumber and Chai and Zhu, Rapid Pulp Kappa Number Determination UsingSpectrophotometry, J. Pulp Paper Sci. 25(11): 387-394 (1999), thecontent of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

In the copper number assay, the copper number is an indicator of thereducing groups of cellulosic material and impurities possessingreducing properties that are present in the processed pulp. Hydrolyzedor oxidized cellulose is capable of reducing certain metallic ions tolower valence states, and reactions of this type have served to detectdamage to cellulose and to estimate the quantity of reducing groups.Thus, the copper number can be regarded as an index of those impuritiesin cellulose such as oxycellulose, hydrocellulose, lignin, and sugarswhich possess reducing properties. As such, this assay is valuable fordetecting changes accompanying deterioration and may, therefore, beconsidered as a test for indicating the permanence of paper. Coppernumber is defined as the number of grams of metallic copper (as Cu₂O)resulting from the reduction of CuSO₄ by 100.00 g of pulp fibers. Toperform the copper number assay, pulp, a known mass of oven-driedprocessed pulp is treated with a CuSO₄ solution and acarbonate-bicarbonate solution heated at 100° C. for three hours withoccasional shaking and then washed in in 5% Na₂CO₃ and then hot water.The treated cellulosic material is then incubated with phosphomolybdicacid, macerated, washed with water until the blue color of the fibers isremoved, and the filtrate diluted to an appropriate volume and thentitrated with 0.05 N KMnO₄ to a faint pink end point. The copper number,C, is calculated using the following formula: C=6.357×(V−B)×N/W, where Cis the copper number, V is the volume, in milliliters, of KMnO₄ solutionto titrate the filtrate from the specimen, B is the volume, inmilliliters, of KMnO₄ solution to titrate the blank filtrate, N is thenormality of 0.05 N KMnO₄, W is the weight, in grams, of the oven-driedpulp. A standardized alkali solubility assay is described in, e.g.,TAPPI Standard T 430 cm-09 Copper Number of Pulp, Paper and Paperboard,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a processedpulp having a low lignin content. In aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a processed pulp having a low lignincontent with a Kappa number of, e.g., about 5, about 10, about 15, aboutabout 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about or about 50. In aspects ofthis embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a processed pulp havinga low lignin content with a Kappa number of, e.g., at least 5, at least10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, atleast 40, at least 45 or at least 50. In yet aspects of this embodiment,an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition isan amount sufficient to result in a processed pulp having a low lignincontent with a Kappa number of, e.g., at most 5, at most 10, at most 15,at most 20, at most 25, at most 30, at most 35, at most 40, at most 45or at most 50. In yet aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount ofa disclosed papermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient toresult in a processed pulp having a low lignin content with a Kappanumber of, e.g., about 5 to about 10, about 5 to about 15, about 5 toabout 20, about 5 to about 25, about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 35,about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 45, about 5 to about 50, about 10to about 15, about 10 to about 20, about 10 to about 25, about 10 toabout 30, about 10 to about 35, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to aboutabout 10 to about 50, about 15 to about 20, about 15 to about 25, about15 to about 30, about 15 to about 35, about 15 to about 40, about 15 toabout 45, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about 25, about 20 to about30, about 20 to about 35, about 20 to about 40, about 20 to about 45,about 20 to about 50, about to about 30, about 25 to about 35, about 25to about 40, about 25 to about 45, about 25 to about 50, about 30 toabout 35, about 30 to about 40, about 30 to about 45, about 30 to about50, about 35 to about about 35 to about 45, about 35 to about 50, about40 to about 45, about 40 to about 50 or about 45 to about 50.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a low lignin content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a low lignin content with a Kappa number of, e.g., about 5, about10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about orabout 50. In aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp having a low lignin content with aKappa number of, e.g., at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45 orat least 50. In yet aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a low lignin contentwith a Kappa number of, e.g., at most 5, at most 10, at most 15, at most20, at most 25, at most 30, at most 35, at most 40, at most 45 or atmost 50. In yet aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp having a low lignin content with aKappa number of, e.g., about 5 to about 10, about 5 to about 15, about 5to about 20, about 5 to about 25, about 5 to about about 5 to about 35,about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 45, about 5 to about 50, about 10to about about 10 to about 20, about 10 to about 25, about 10 to about30, about 10 to about 35, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 45,about 10 to about 50, about 15 to about 20, about 15 to about 25, about15 to about 30, about 15 to about 35, about 15 to about 40, about 15 toabout 45, about 15 to about 50, about to about 25, about 20 to about 30,about 20 to about 35, about 20 to about 40, about 20 to about 45, about20 to about 50, about 25 to about 30, about 25 to about 35, about 25 toabout 40, about 25 to about about 25 to about 50, about 30 to about 35,about 30 to about 40, about 30 to about 45, about 30 to about 50, about35 to about 40, about 35 to about 45, about 35 to about 50, about 40 toabout 45, about 40 to about 50 or about 45 to about 50.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a processedpulp having a low impurities. In aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a processed pulp having a low impuritiescontent with a copper number of, e.g., about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0,about 1.25, about 1.5, about 1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5,about 2.75, about 3.0, about 3.25, about 3.5, about 3.75, about 4.0,about 4.25, about 4.5, about 4.75, about 5.0, about 5.25, about 5.5,about about 6.0, about 6.25, about 6.5, about 6.75 or about 7.0. Inother aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp having a low impurities content with a copper number of,e.g., at least 0.5, at least 0.75, at least 1.0, at least 1.25, at least1.5, at least 1.75, at least 2.0, at least 2.25, at least 2.5, at least2.75, at least 3.0, at least 3.25, at least 3.5, at least 3.75, at least4.0, at least 4.25, at least 4.5, at least 4.75, at least 5.0, at least5.25, at least 5.5, at least 5.75, at least 6.0, at least 6.25, at least6.5, at least 6.75 or at least 7.0. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is an amount sufficient to result in a processed pulp havinga low impurities content with a copper number of, e.g., at most 0.5, atmost 0.75, at most 1.0, at most 1.25, at most 1.5, at most 1.75, at most2.0, at most 2.25, at most 2.5, at most 2.75, at most 3.0, at most 3.25,at most 3.5, at most 3.75, at most 4.0, at most 4.25, at most 4.5, atmost 4.75, at most 5.0, at most 5.25, at most 5.5, at most 5.75, at most6.0, at most 6.25, at most 6.5, at most 6.75 or at most 7.0. In stillother aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp having a low impurities content with a copper number of,e.g., about 0.5 to about 1.0, about to about 2.0, about 0.5 to about3.0, about 0.5 to about 4.0, about 0.5 to about 5.0, about 0.5 to about6.0, about 0.5 to about 7.0, about 0.75 to about 1.0, about 0.75 toabout 2.0, about 0.75 to about 3.0, about to about 4.0, about 0.75 toabout 5.0, about 0.75 to about 6.0, about 0.75 to about 7.0, about 1.0to about 2.0, about 1.0 to about 3.0, about 1.0 to about 4.0, about 1.0to about 5.0, about 1.0 to about 6.0, about 1.0 to about 7.0, about 1.25to about 2.0, about 1.25 to about 3.0, about 1.25 to about 4.0, about1.25 to about 5.0, about 1.25 to about 6.0, about 1.25 to about 7.0,about 1.5 to about 2.0, about 1.5 to about 3.0, about 1.5 to about 4.0,about 1.5 to about 5.0, about 1.5 to about 6.0, about 1.5 to about 7.0,about 1.75 to about 2.0, about 1.75 to about 3.0, about 1.75 to about4.0, about 1.75 to about 5.0, about 1.75 to about 6.0, about 1.75 toabout 7.0, about 2 to about 3.0, about 2 to about 4.0, about 2 to about5.0, about 2 to about 6.0 or about 2 to about 7.0.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a low impurities. In aspects of this embodiment, amethod or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a lowimpurities content with a copper number of, e.g., about 0.5, about 0.75,about 1.0, about 1.25, about 1.5, about 1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25,about 2.5, about 2.75, about 3.0, about 3.25, about 3.5, about 3.75,about 4.0, about 4.25, about 4.5, about 4.75, about 5.0, about 5.25,about 5.5, about 5.75, about 6.0, about 6.25, about 6.5, about 6.75 orabout 7.0. In other aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a low impuritiescontent with a copper number of, e.g., at least 0.5, at least 0.75, atleast 1.0, at least 1.25, at least 1.5, at least 1.75, at least 2.0, atleast 2.25, at least 2.5, at least 2.75, at least 3.0, at least 3.25, atleast 3.5, at least 3.75, at least 4.0, at least 4.25, at least 4.5, atleast 4.75, at least 5.0, at least 5.25, at least 5.5, at least 5.75, atleast 6.0, at least 6.25, at least 6.5, at least 6.75 or at least 7.0.In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp having a low impurities content witha copper number of, e.g., at most 0.5, at most 0.75, at most 1.0, atmost 1.25, at most 1.5, at most 1.75, at most 2.0, at most 2.25, at most2.5, at most 2.75, at most 3.0, at most 3.25, at most 3.5, at most 3.75,at most 4.0, at most 4.25, at most 4.5, at most 4.75, at most 5.0, atmost 5.25, at most 5.5, at most 5.75, at most 6.0, at most 6.25, at most6.5, at most 6.75 or at most 7.0. In still other aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a low impurities content with a copper number of, e.g., about 0.5to about 1.0, about 0.5 to about 2.0, about 0.5 to about 3.0, about 0.5to about 4.0, about 0.5 to about 5.0, about 0.5 to about 6.0, about 0.5to about 7.0, about 0.75 to about 1.0, about 0.75 to about 2.0, about0.75 to about 3.0, about 0.75 to about 4.0, about 0.75 to about 5.0,about 0.75 to about 6.0, about 0.75 to about 7.0, about 1.0 to about2.0, about 1.0 to about 3.0, about 1.0 to about 4.0, about 1.0 to about5.0, about 1.0 to about 6.0, about 1.0 to about 7.0, about 1.25 to about2.0, about 1.25 to about 3.0, about 1.25 to about 4.0, about 1.25 toabout 5.0, about 1.25 to about 6.0, about 1.25 to about 7.0, about 1.5to about 2.0, about 1.5 to about 3.0, about 1.5 to about 4.0, about 1.5to about 5.0, about 1.5 to about 6.0, about 1.5 to about 7.0, about 1.75to about 2.0, about 1.75 to about 3.0, about 1.75 to about 4.0, about1.75 to about 5.0, about 1.75 to about 6.0, about 1.75 to about 7.0,about 2 to about 3.0, about 2 to about 4.0, about 2 to about 5.0, about2 to about 6.0 or about 2 to about 7.0.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the content ofcarboxyl groups present in the processed pulp. In general, the higherthe number carboxyl groups, the higher the purity and integrity ofcellulosic material in processed pulp. There are several assays whichmeasure number of carboxyl groups in cellulosic material from processedpulp.

In the carboxyl content assay, the carboxyl content of processed pulp isdetermined, which is an indicator of paper strength, delignification andthe number of times the cellulose fiber could be recycled. Carboxylgroups are beneficial in the bonding of pulp fibers in paper, whichcontributes to paper strength. The higher the carboxyl group content,the greater the paper strength will be. To perform the carboxyl contentassay, dried processed pulp is mixed with 0.1 M HCl for 60 minutes andthen filtered and washed with water. The treated cellulosic material isthen added to a 250 mL of 1 mM NaCl solution which is acidified with 1.5mL 0.1 M HCl, and then titrated conductometrically with 0.05 N NaOH at0.2 mL increments. The titration data was plotted as conductivity versusvolume to determine the milli-equivalent of acid groups per kilogram ofpulp. The carboxyl group content, C₀, is calculated using the followingformula: C₀=N×V×100/M, where C₀ is carboxyl group content (meq/100 gpulp), N is the titrant concentration, V is the volume, in millilitersat the equivalence point, and M is the mass, in grams, of the oven-driedpulp. Standardized alkali solubility assays are described in, e.g.,TAPPI Standard T 237 cm-08 Carboxyl Content of Pulp and Chen, et al.,Fiber Properties of Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp with Different Carboxyl GroupContents, Cellulose 20: 2839-2846 (2013), ASTM D 1926-00 Standard TestMethods for Carboxyl Content if Cellulose, and Barbosa, et al., A RapidMethod for Quantification of Carboxyl Croups in Cellulose Pulp,BioResources 8(1): 1043-1054 (2013), the content of each of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a processedpulp having a high carboxyl content. In aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a processed pulp having a carboxylcontent of, e.g., about 4 meq/100 g pulp, about 4.5 meq/100 g pulp,about 5 meq/100 g pulp, about 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 gpulp, about 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 7.5meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 8.5 meq/100 g pulp, about9 meq/100 g pulp, about 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or about 10 meq/100 g pulp.In other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp having a carboxyl content of, e.g., at least 4 meq/100 gpulp, at least 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 5 meq/100 g pulp, at least5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 6 meq/100 g pulp, at least 6.5 meq/100 gpulp, at least 7 meq/100 g pulp, at least 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 8meq/100 g pulp, at least 8.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9 meq/100 g pulp,at least 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or at least 10 meq/100 g pulp. In yet otheraspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp having a carboxyl content of, e.g., at most 4 meq/100 gpulp, at most 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 5.5meq/100 g pulp, at most 6 meq/100 g pulp, at most 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, atmost 7 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 8 meq/100 gpulp, at most 8.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 9 meq/100 g pulp, at most 9.5meq/100 g pulp or at most 10 meq/100 g pulp. In still other aspects ofthis embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processedpulp having a carboxyl content of, e.g., about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about5 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g pulp,about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulpto about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 gpulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 7meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about5 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp toabout 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 gpulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 10meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about7 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp toabout 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 gpulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp or about 9meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a high carboxyl content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving a carboxyl content of, e.g., about 4 meq/100 g pulp, about 4.5meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp, about 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, about6 meq/100 g pulp, about 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp,about 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 8.5 meq/100 gpulp, about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or about 10meq/100 g pulp. In other aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a carboxyl contentof, e.g., at least 4 meq/100 g pulp, at least 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, atleast 5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 6 meq/100g pulp, at least 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 7 meq/100 g pulp, at least7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 8 meq/100 g pulp, at least 8.5 meq/100 gpulp, at least 9 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or at least10 meq/100 g pulp. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a method oruse disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a carboxylcontent of, e.g., at most 4 meq/100 g pulp, at most 4.5 meq/100 g pulp,at most 5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 6 meq/100g pulp, at most 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7 meq/100 g pulp, at most7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 8 meq/100 g pulp, at most 8.5 meq/100 gpulp, at most 9 meq/100 g pulp, at most 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or at most 10meq/100 g pulp. In still other aspects of this embodiment, a method oruse disclosed herein results in a processed pulp having a carboxylcontent of, e.g., about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 5 meq/100 g pulp,about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulpto about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 gpulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 6meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about5 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp toabout 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 gpulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 9meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about7 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp toabout 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 gpulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp or about 9 meq/100 g pulp to about 10meq/100 g pulp.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the brightness of theprocessed pulp or paper product produced. In general, the higher thebrightness, the higher the purity and integrity of cellulosic materialin processed pulp or paper product produced. There are several assayswhich measure number of carboxyl groups in cellulosic material fromprocessed pulp.

Brightness is a numerical value of the reflectance factor of a samplewith respect to blue light of specific spectral and geometriccharacteristics. Blue-light reflectance measurements were originallydesigned to provide an indication of the amount of bleaching that hastaken place in the manufacture of pulp. This procedure is applicable toall naturally-colored pulps, and papers and board made therefrom.Brightness is based on a scale of zero to 100, with a higher blue-lightreflectance number indicating the whiter the paper products will appear.To perform a brightness assay, a paper sample is exposed to a laser witha wavelength of 457 nm and a width of 44 nm and the amount of blue lighthaving a wavelength of 457 nm reflected from the surface of a paper ismeasured. Standardized brightness assays are described in, e.g., TAPPIStandard T 452 om-08 Brightness of Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard(directional reflectance at 457 nm) and ISO 2470: 2009 Measurement ofDiffuse Blue Reflectance Factor (ISO Brightness), the content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a processedpulp or paper product derived from such pulp to have a high brightness.In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp or paper product derived from such pulp to have abrightness of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%,about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% orabout 99%. In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of adisclosed papermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient toresult in a processed pulp or paper product derived from such pulp tohave a brightness of, e.g., at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%. Inyet other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient to result in aprocessed pulp or paper product derived from such pulp to have abrightness of, e.g., at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%,at most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, atmost 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%. In yet other aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving an alpha-cellulose content of, e.g., about 70% to about 80%,about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 95%,about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 90%,about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%,about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%,about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to about 99%,about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 97%,about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about 95%, about 93% to about 97%,about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about 97% or about 95% to about99%.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp or paper product derived from such pulp to have a highbrightness. In aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp or paper product derived from suchpulp to have a brightness of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about 80%,about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%,about 98% or about 99%. In aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp or paper product derivedfrom such pulp to have a brightness of, e.g., at least 70%, at least75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least98% or at least 99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a methodor use disclosed herein results in a processed pulp or paper productderived from such pulp to have a brightness of, e.g., at most 70%, atmost 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, atmost 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most99%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosedherein results in a processed pulp having an alpha-cellulose content of,e.g., about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to about85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about99%, about 85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about97%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about95%, about 90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about97% or about 95% to about 99%.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the amount ofimpurity and/or contaminate content of the processed pulp or paperproduct produced. In general, the lower the impurity and/or contaminatecontent, the higher the purity and integrity of cellulosic material inprocessed pulp or paper product produced. There are several assays whichmeasure number of carboxyl groups in cellulosic material from processedpulp.

Another aspect of high fiber purity and quality is the ink content ofthe processed pulp or paper product produced. In general, the lower theink content, the higher the purity and integrity of cellulosic materialin processed pulp or paper product produced. There are several assayswhich measure number of ink content in cellulosic material fromprocessed pulp or paper product produced.

Since the pulping phase usually removes most water-soluble and volatilecompounds soluble in organic solvents, impurities and/or contaminatestypically comprise resin and fatty acids and their esters, waxes andunsaponifiable substances as well as impurities and/or contaminates ofreclaimed paper products such as inks, plastics and other additives.Such impurities and/or contaminates are generally referred to asextractives.

In a solvent extractive assay, the extractive content of processed pulpis determined, which is an indicator of paper strength, delignificationand the number of times the cellulose fiber could be recycled. Solventextractive assays include a dichloromethane-based assay and anethanol-benzene assay. The dichloromethane-extractable content of aprocessed pulp is a measure of waxes, fats, resins, photosterols andnon-volatile hydrocarbons. The ethanol-benzene extractable content of aprocessed pulp include dichloromethane-insoluble components includinglow-molecular weight carbohydrates, salts and other water-solublesubstances in addition to waxes, fats, resins, photosterols andnon-volatile hydrocarbons. To perform a solvent extractive assay, driedprocessed pulp is mixed with the appropriate solvent and the sample isheated in an extraction apparatus for not less than 24 extraction cyclesover a period of about 4 to about 5 hours. The sample is removed fromthe apparatus and any remaining solvent is evaporated and the sample isthen oven dried. The extractive content, E %, is calculated using thefollowing formula: E %=[(W_(e)−W_(b))/W_(p)]×100, where E % isextractive content, W_(e) is the oven-dry weight, in grams, of extract,W_(b) is the oven-dry weight, in grams, of blank residue, and W_(p) isthe oven-dry weight, in grams, of the initial pulp sample. Standardizedsolvent extractive assays are described in, e.g., TAPPI Standard T 204cm-97 Solvent Extractives of Wood and Pulp, the content of each of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is an amount sufficient to result in a processedpulp having a low extractives content. In aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is anamount sufficient to result in a processed pulp having an extractivescontent of, e.g., about 0.01%, about 0.02%, about 0.03%, about 0.04%,about 0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, about0.1%, about about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%,about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4% or about5%. In other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of adisclosed papermaking additive composition is an amount sufficient toresult in a processed pulp having an extractives content of, e.g., atmost 0.01%, at most 0.02%, at most 0.03%, at most 0.04%, at most at most0.06%, at most 0.07%, at most 0.08%, at most 0.09%, at most 0.1%, atmost 0.2%, at most at most 0.4%, at most 0.5%, at most 0.6%, at most0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most 0.9%, at most 1%, at most 2%, at most 3%, atmost 4% or at most 5%. In other aspects of this embodiment, an effectiveamount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is an amountsufficient to result in a processed pulp having an extractives contentof, e.g., about 0.001% to about 0.005%, about 0.001% to about 0.01%,about 0.001% to about 0.05%, about 0.001% to about 0.1%, about 0.001% toabout 0.5%, about 0.001% to about 1%, about 0.001% to about 5%, about0.005% to about 0.01%, about 0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% toabout 0.1%, about 0.005% to about 0.5%, about 0.005% to about 1%, about0.005% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 0.05%, about 0.01% to about0.1%, about 0.01% to about 0.5%, about to about 1%, about 0.01% to about5%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%, about 0.05% to about 0.5%, about 0.05% toabout 1%, about 0.05% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1%to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5%to about 5% or about 1% to about 5%.

In an embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in aprocessed pulp having a low extractives content. In aspects of thisembodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results in a processed pulphaving an extractives content of, e.g., about 0.01%, about 0.02%, about0.03%, about 0.04%, about about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about0.09%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about about 0.5%, about 0.6%,about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about4% or about 5%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a method or usedisclosed herein results in a processed pulp having an extractivescontent of, e.g., at most 0.01%, at most 0.02%, at most 0.03%, at most0.04%, at most 0.05%, at most 0.06%, at most 0.07%, at most 0.08%, atmost 0.09%, at most 0.1%, at most 0.2%, at most 0.3%, at most 0.4%, atmost 0.5%, at most 0.6%, at most 0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most 0.9%, atmost 1%, at most 2%, at most 3%, at most 4% or at most 5%. In otheraspects of this embodiment, a method or use disclosed herein results ina processed pulp having an extractives content of, e.g., about 0.001% toabout 0.005%, about 0.001% to about 0.01%, about 0.001% to about 0.05%,about 0.001% to about 0.1%, about 0.001% to about 0.5%, about 0.001% toabout 1%, about 0.001% to about 5%, about 0.005% to about 0.01%, about0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% to about 0.1%, about 0.005% to about0.5%, about 0.005% to about 1%, about 0.005% to about 5%, about 0.01% toabout about 0.01% to about 0.1%, about 0.01% to about 0.5%, about 0.01%to about 1%, about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%, about0.05% to about 0.5%, about 0.05% to about 1%, about 0.05% to about 5%,about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5% to about 5% or about 1% to about5%.

An effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition canbe a dilution of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein. Inaspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is a papermaking additivecomposition:dilutant ratio of, e.g., about 1:50, about 1:75, about1:100, about 1:125, about 1:150, about 1:175, about 1:200, about 1:225,about 1:250, about 1:275, about 1:300, about 1:325, about 1:350, about1:375, about 1:400, about 1:425, about 1:450, about 1:475, about 1:500,about 1:525, about 1:550, about 1:575 or about 1:600. In other aspectsof this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is a papermaking additive composition:dilutantratio of, e.g., at least 1:50, at least 1:75, at least 1:100, at least1:125, at least 1:150, at least 1:175, at least 1:200, at least 1:225,at least 1:250, at least 1:275, at least 1:300, at least 1:325, at least1:350, at least 1:375, at least 1:400, at least 1:425, at least 1:450,at least 1:475, at least 1:500, at least 1:525, at least 1:550, at least1:575 or at least 1:600. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, aneffective amount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is apapermaking additive composition:dilutant ratio of, e.g., at most 1:50,at most 1:75, at most 1:100, at most 1:125, at most 1:150, at most1:175, at most 1:200, at most 1:225, at most 1:250, at most 1:275, atmost 1:300, at most 1:325, at most 1:350, at most 1:375, at most 1:400,at most 1:425, at most 1:450, at most 1:475, at most 1:500, at most1:525, at most 1:550, at most 1:575 or at most 1:600. In other aspectsof this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermakingadditive composition is a papermaking additive composition:dilutantratio of, e.g., about 1:50 to about 1:100, about 1:50 to about 1:200,about 1:50 to about 1:300, about 1:50 to about 1:400, about 1:50 toabout 1:500, about 1:50 to about 1:600, about 1:100 to about 1:200,about 1:100 to about 1:300, about 1:100 to about 1:400, about 1:100 toabout 1:500, about 1:100 to about 1:600, about 1:200 to about 1:300,about 1:200 to about 1:400, about 1:200 to about 1:500, about 1:200 toabout 1:600, about 1:300 to about 1:400, about 1:300 to about 1:500,about 1:300 to about 1:600, about 1:400 to about 1:500, about 1:400 toabout 1:600 or about 1:500 to about 1:600.

In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is a papermaking additivecomposition:dilutant ratio of, e.g., about 1:500, about 1:750, about1:1000, about 1:1250, about 1:1500, about 1:1750, about 1:2000, about1:2250, about 1:2500, about 1:2750, about 1:3000, about 1:3250, about1:3500, about 1:3750, about 1:4000, about 1:4250, about 1:4500, about1:4750, about 1:5000, about 1:5250, about 1:5500, about 1:5750, about1:6000 about 1:7000, about 1:8000, about 1:9000 or about 1:10000. Inother aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition is a papermaking additivecomposition:dilutant ratio of, e.g., at least 1:500, at least 1:750, atleast 1:1000, at least 1:1250, at least 1:1500, at least 1:1750, atleast 1:2000, at least 1:2250, at least 1:2500, at least 1:2750, atleast 1:3000, at least 1:3250, at least 1:3500, at least 1:3750, atleast 1:4000, at least 1:4250, at least 1:4500, at least 1:4750, atleast 1:5000, at least 1:5250, at least 1:5500, at least 1:5750, atleast 1:6000, at least 1:7000, at least 1:8000, at least 1:9000 or atleast 1:10000. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, an effectiveamount of a disclosed papermaking additive composition is a papermakingadditive composition:dilutant ratio of, e.g., at most 1:500, at most1:750, at most 1:1000, at most 1:1250, at most 1:1500, at most 1:1750,at most 1:2000, at most 1:2250, at most 1:2500, at most 1:2750, at most1:3000, at most 1:3250, at most 1:3500, at most 1:3750, at most 1:4000,at most 1:4250, at most 1:4500, at most 1:4750, at most 1:5000, at most1:5250, at most 1:5500, at most 1:5750, at most 1:6000 at most 1:7000,at most 1:8000, at most 1:9000 or at most 1:10000. In other aspects ofthis embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition is a papermaking additive composition:dilutant ratio of,e.g., about 1:500 to about 1:1000, about 1:500 to about 1:2000, about1:500 to about 1:3000, about 1:500 to about 1:4000, about 1:500 to about1:5000, about 1:500 to about 1:6000, about 1:500 to about 1:7000, about1:500 to about 1:8000, about 1:500 to about 1:9000, about 1:500 to about1:10000, about 1:1000 to about 1:2000, about 1:1000 to about 1:3000,about 1:1000 to about 1:4000, about 1:1000 to about 1:5000, about 1:1000to about 1:6000, about 1:1000 to about 1:7000, about 1:1000 to about1:8000, about 1:1000 to about 1:9000, about 1:1000 to about 1:10000,about 1:2000 to about 1:3000, about 1:2000 to about 1:4000, about 1:2000to about 1:5000, about 1:2000 to about 1:6000, about 1:2000 to about1:7000, about 1:2000 to about 1:8000, about 1:2000 to about 1:9000,about 1:2000 to about 1:10000, about 1:3000 to about 1:4000, about1:3000 to about 1:5000, about 1:3000 to about 1:6000, about 1:3000 toabout 1:7000, about 1:3000 to about 1:8000, about 1:3000 to about1:9000, about 1:3000 to about 1:10000, about 1:4000 to about 1:5000,about 1:4000 to about 1:6000, about 1:4000 to about 1:7000, about 1:4000to about 1:8000, about 1:4000 to about 1:9000, about 1:4000 to about1:10000, about 1:5000 to about 1:6000, about 1:5000 to about 1:7000,about 1:5000 to about 1:8000, about 1:5000 to about 1:9000, about 1:5000to about 1:10000, about 1:6000 to about 1:7000, about 1:6000 to about1:8000, about 1:6000 to about 1:9000, about 1:6000 to about 1:10000,about 1:7000 to about 1:8000, about 1:7000 to about 1:9000, about 1:7000to about 1:10000, about 1:8000 to about 1:9000, about 1:8000 to about1:10000 or about 1:9000 to about 1:10000.

In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition has a final concentration of, e.g.,about 0.0001%, about 0.0002%, about 0.0003%, about about 0.0005%, about0.0006%, about 0.0007%, about 0.0008%, about 0.0009%, about 0.001%,about 0.002%, about 0.003%, about 0.004%, about 0.005%, about 0.006%,about 0.007%, about 0.008%, about 0.009%, about 0.01%, about 0.02%,about 0.03%, about 0.04%, about 0.05%, about 0.06%, about about 0.08%,about 0.09%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%,about about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%,about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9% or about 10%.In other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a disclosedpapermaking additive composition has a final concentration of, e.g., atleast 0.0001%, at least 0.0002%, at least 0.0003%, at least 0.0004%, atleast 0.0005%, at least 0.0006%, at least 0.0007%, at least 0.0008%, atleast 0.0009%, at least 0.001%, at least 0.002%, at least 0.003%, atleast 0.004%, at least 0.005%, at least 0.006%, at least 0.007%, atleast 0.008%, at least 0.009%, at least 0.01%, at least at least 0.03%,at least 0.04%, at least 0.05%, at least 0.06%, at least 0.07%, at least0.08%, at least 0.09%, at least 0.1%, at least 0.2%, at least 0.3%, atleast 0.4%, at least 0.5%, at least 0.6%, at least at least 0.8%, atleast 0.9%, at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9% or at least 10%.In yet other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of adisclosed papermaking additive composition has a final concentration of,e.g., at most at most 0.0002%, at most 0.0003%, at most 0.0004%, at most0.0005%, at most 0.0006%, at most 0.0007%, at most 0.0008%, at most0.0009%, at most 0.001%, at most 0.002%, at most 0.003%, at most 0.004%,at most 0.005%, at most 0.006%, at most 0.007%, at most 0.008%, at most0.009%, at most at most 0.02%, at most 0.03%, at most 0.04%, at most0.05%, at most 0.06%, at most 0.07%, at most 0.08%, at most 0.09%, atmost 0.1%, at most 0.2%, at most 0.3%, at most 0.4%, at most 0.5%, atmost 0.6%, at most 0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most 0.9%, at most 1%, at most2%, at most 3%, at most 4%, at most 5%, at most 6%, at most 7%, at most8%, at most 9% or at most 10%. In still other aspects of thisembodiment, an effective amount of a disclosed papermaking additivecomposition has a final concentration of, e.g., about 0.0001% to about0.0005%, about 0.0001% to about 0.001%, about 0.0001% to about about0.0001% to about 0.01%, about 0.0001% to about 0.05%, about 0.0001% toabout 0.1%, about 0.0001% to about 0.5%, about 0.0001% to about 1%,about 0.0001% to about 5%, about 0.0001% to about 10%, about 0.0005% toabout 0.001%, about 0.0005% to about 0.005%, about 0.0005% to aboutabout 0.0005% to about 0.05%, about 0.0005% to about 0.1%, about 0.0005%to about 0.5%, about to about 1%, about 0.0005% to about 5%, about0.0005% to about 10%, about 0.001% to about about 0.001% to about 0.01%,0.001% to about 0.05%, about 0.001% to about 0.1%, 0.001% to about 0.5%,0.001% to about 1%, 0.001% to about 5%, about 0.001% to about 10%, about0.005% to about about 0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% to about 0.1%,about 0.005% to about 0.5%, about to about 1%, about 0.005% to about 5%,about 0.005% to about 10%, about 0.01% to about 0.05%, about 0.01% toabout 0.1%, about 0.01% to about 0.5%, about 0.01% to about 1%, about0.01% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 10%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%,about 0.05% to about 0.5%, about 0.05% to about 1%, about 0.05% to about5%, about 0.05% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% toabout 1%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 10%, about 0.5% toabout 1%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 10%, about 1% toabout 5%, about 1% to about 10% or about 5% to about 10%.

Application of a papermaking additive composition disclosed herein canbe achieved by any process that effectively creates microbubbles asdisclosed herein. The microbubbles formed with the papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein appear to increase the mass transfer ofoxygen in liquids. Without being bound by scientific theory, there areseveral possible explanations for this difference. First, thesurfactants formulated into a papermaking additive composition disclosedherein include nonionic surfactants and/or biosurfactants whichsignificantly alter the properties of bubble behavior. Second, apapermaking additive composition disclosed herein requires a much lowerconcentration of surfactants for microbubble formation. It has beensuggested that surfactant concentrations must approach the criticalmicelles concentration (CMS) of a surfactant system. In a papermakingadditive composition disclosed herein, microbubbles are formed belowestimated CMCs for the surfactants used. This suggests that themicrobubbles are the result of aggregates of surfactant molecules with aloose molecular packing more favorable to gas mass transfercharacteristics. A surface containing fewer surfactant molecules wouldbe more gas permeable than a well-organized micelle containing gas.Regardless of the mechanism, the tendency of a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein to organizes into clusters, aggregates, orgas-filled bubbles provides a platform for reactions to occur byincreasing localized concentrations of reactants, lowering thetransition of energy required for a catalytic reaction to occur, or someother mechanism which has not yet been described.

In aspects of this embodiment, a microbubbles disclosed herein have amean diameter of, e.g., about 5 μm, about 10 μm, about 15 μm, about 20μm, about 25 μm, about 30 μm, about 40 μm, about 50 μm, about 75 μm,about 100 μm, about 150 μm, about 200 μm, about 250 μm, about 300 μm,about 350 μm, about 400 μm, about 450 μm, about 500 μm, about 550 μm,about 600 μm, about 650 μm, about 700 μm, about 750 μm, about 800 μm,about 850 μm, about 900 μm, about 950 μm or about 1000 μm. In otheraspects of this embodiment, a microbubbles disclosed herein have a meandiameter of, e.g., at least 5 μm, at least 10 μm, at least 15 μm, atleast 20 μm, at least 25 μm, at least 30 μm, at least 40 μm, at least 50μm, at least 100 μm, at least 150 μm, at least 200 μm, at least 250 μm,at least 300 μm, at least 350 μm, at least 400 μm, at least 450 μm, atleast 500 μm, at least 550 μm, at least 600 μm, at least 650 μm, atleast 700 μm, at least 750 μm, at least 800 μm, at least 850 μm, atleast 900 μm, at least 950 μm or at least 1000 μm. In other aspects ofthis embodiment, a microbubbles disclosed herein have a mean diameterof, e.g., at most 5 μm, at most 10 μm, at most 15 μm, at most 20 μm, atmost 25 μm, at most 30 μm, at most μm, at most 50 μm, at most 100 μm, atmost 150 μm, at most 200 μm, at most 250 μm, at most 300 μm, at most 350μm, at most 400 μm, at most 450 μm, at most 500 μm, at most 550 μm, atmost 600 μm, at most 650 μm, at most 700 μm, at most 750 μm, at most 800μm, at most 850 μm, at most 900 μm, at most 950 μm or at most 1000 μm.

In aspects of this embodiment, a microbubbles disclosed herein have amean diameter of, e.g., about 5 μm to about 10 μm, about 5 μm to about15 μm, about 5 μm to about 20 μm, about 5 μm to about μm, about 5 μm toabout 30 μm, about 5 μm to about 40 μm, about 5 μm to about 50 μm, about5 μm to about 75 μm, about 5 μm to about 100 μm, about 10 μm to about 15μm, about 10 μm to about 20 μm, about 10 μm to about 25 μm, about 10 μmto about 30 μm, about 10 μm to about 40 μm, about 10 μm to about 50 μm,about 10 μm to about 75 μm, about 10 μm to about 100 μm, about 15 μm toabout 20 μm, about 15 μm to about 25 μm, about 15 μm to about 30 μm,about 15 μm to about 40 μm, about 15 μm to about 50 μm, about 15 μm toabout 75 μm, about 15 μm to about 100 μm, about 20 μm to about 25 μm,about 20 μm to about 30 μm, about 20 μm to about 40 μm, about 20 μm toabout 50 μm, about 20 μm to about 75 μm, about 20 μm to about 100 μm,about 25 μm to about 30 μm, about 25 μm to about 40 μm, about 25 μm toabout 50 μm, about 25 μm to about 75 μm, about 25 μm to about 100 μm,about 30 μm to about 40 μm, about 30 μm to about 50 μm, about 30 μm toabout 75 μm, about 30 μm to about 100 μm, about 40 μm to about 50 μm,about 40 μm to about 75 μm, about 40 μm to about 100 μm, about 50 μm toabout 75 μm, about 50 μm to about 100 μm, about 50 μm to about 150 μm,about 50 μm to about 200 μm, about 50 μm to about 250 μm, about 50 μm toabout 300 μm, about 50 μm to about 350 μm, about 50 μm to about 400 μm,about 50 μm to about 450 μm, about 50 μm to about 500 μm, about 50 μm toabout 550 μm, about 50 μm to about 600 μm, about 50 μm to about 650 μm,about 50 μm to about 700 μm, about 50 μm to about 750 μm, about 50 μm toabout 800 μm, about 50 μm to about 850 μm, about 50 μm to about 900 μm,about 50 μm to about 950 μm, about 50 μm to about 1000 μm, about 100 μmto about 150 μm, about 100 μm to about 200 μm, about 100 μm to about 250μm, about 100 μm to about 300 μm, about 100 μm to about 350 μm, about100 μm to about 400 μm, about 100 μm to about 450 μm, about 100 μm toabout 500 μm, about 100 μm to about 550 μm, about 100 μm to about 600μm, about 100 μm to about 650 μm, about 100 μm to about 700 μm, about100 μm to about 750 μm, about 100 μm to about 800 μm, about 100 μm toabout 850 μm, about 100 μm to about 900 μm, about 100 μm to about 950μm, about 100 μm to about 1000 μm, about 150 μm to about 200 μm, about150 μm to about 250 μm, about 150 μm to about 300 μm, about 150 μm toabout 350 μm, about 150 μm to about 400 μm, about 150 μm to about 450μm, about 150 μm to about 500 μm, about 150 μm to about 550 μm, about150 μm to about 600 μm, about 150 μm to about 650 μm, about 150 μm toabout 700 μm, about 150 μm to about 750 μm, about 150 μm to about 800μm, about 150 μm to about 850 μm, about 150 μm to about 900 μm, about150 μm to about 950 μm, about 150 μm to about 1000 μm, about 200 μm toabout 250 μm, about 200 μm to about 300 μm, about 200 μm to about 350μm, about 200 μm to about 400 μm, about 200 μm to about 450 μm, about200 μm to about 500 μm, about 200 μm to about 550 μm, about 200 μm toabout 600 μm, about 200 μm to about 650 μm, about 200 μm to about 700μm, about 200 μm to about 750 μm, about 200 μm to about 800 μm, about200 μm to about 850 μm, about 200 μm to about 900 μm, about 200 μm toabout 950 μm, about 200 μm to about 1000 μm, about 250 μm to about 300μm, about 250 μm to about 350 μm, about 250 μm to about 400 μm, about250 μm to about 450 μm, about 250 μm to about 500 μm, about 250 μm toabout 550 μm, about 250 μm to about 600 μm, about 250 μm to about 650μm, about 250 μm to about 700 μm, about 250 μm to about 750 μm, about250 μm to about 800 μm, about 250 μm to about 850 μm, about 250 μm toabout 900 μm, about 250 μm to about 950 μm, about 250 μm to about 1000μm, about 300 μm to about 350 μm, about 300 μm to about 400 μm, about300 μm to about 450 μm, about 300 μm to about 500 μm, about 300 μm toabout 550 μm, about 300 μm to about 600 μm, about 300 μm to about 650μm, about 300 μm to about 700 μm, about 300 μm to about 750 μm, about300 μm to about 800 μm, about 300 μm to about 850 μm, about 300 μm toabout 900 μm, about 300 μm to about 950 μm, about 300 μm to about 1000μm, about 350 μm to about 400 μm, about 350 μm to about 450 μm, about350 μm to about 500 μm, about 350 μm to about 550 μm, about 350 μm toabout 600 μm, about 350 μm to about 650 μm, about 350 μm to about 700μm, about 350 μm to about 750 μm, about 350 μm to about 800 μm, about350 μm to about 850 μm, about 350 μm to about 900 μm, about 350 μm toabout 950 μm, about 350 μm to about 1000 μm, about 400 μm to about 450μm, about 400 μm to about 500 μm, about 400 μm to about 550 μm, about400 μm to about 600 μm, about 400 μm to about 650 μm, about 400 μm toabout 700 μm, about 400 μm to about 750 μm, about 400 μm to about 800μm, about 400 μm to about 850 μm, about 400 μm to about 900 μm, about400 μm to about 950 μm, about 400 μm to about 1000 μm, about 450 μm toabout 500 μm, about 450 μm to about 550 μm, about 450 μm to about 600μm, about 450 μm to about 650 μm, about 450 μm to about 700 μm, about450 μm to about 750 μm, about 450 μm to about 800 μm, about 450 μm toabout 850 μm, about 450 μm to about 900 μm, about 450 μm to about 950μm, about 450 μm to about 1000 μm, about 500 μm to about 550 μm, about500 μm to about 600 μm, about 500 μm to about 650 μm, about 500 μm toabout 700 μm, about 500 μm to about 750 μm, about 500 μm to about 800μm, about 500 μm to about 850 μm, about 500 μm to about 900 μm, about500 μm to about 950 μm, about 500 μm to about 1000 μm, about 550 μm toabout 600 μm, about 550 μm to about 650 μm, about 550 μm to about 700μm, about 550 μm to about 750 μm, about 550 μm to about 800 μm, about550 μm to about 850 μm, about 550 μm to about 900 μm, about 550 μm toabout 950 μm, about 550 μm to about 1000 μm, about 600 μm to about 650μm, about 600 μm to about 700 μm, about 600 μm to about 750 μm, about600 μm to about 800 μm, about 600 μm to about 850 μm, about 600 μm toabout 900 μm, about 600 μm to about 950 μm, about 600 μm to about 1000μm, about 650 μm to about 700 μm, about 650 μm to about 750 μm, about650 μm to about 800 μm, about 650 μm to about 850 μm, about 650 μm toabout 900 μm, about 650 μm to about 950 μm, about 650 μm to about 1000μm, about 700 μm to about 750 μm, about 700 μm to about 800 μm, about700 μm to about 850 μm, about 700 μm to about 900 μm, about 700 μm toabout 950 μm, about 700 μm to about 1000 μm, about 750 μm to about 800μm, about 750 μm to about 850 μm, about 750 μm to about 900 μm, about750 μm to about 950 μm, about 750 μm to about 1000 μm, about 800 μm toabout 850 μm, about 800 μm to about 900 μm, about 800 μm to about 950μm, about 800 μm to about 1000 μm, about 850 μm to about 900 μm, about850 μm to about 950 μm, about 850 μm to about 1000 μm, about 900 μm toabout 950 μm, about 900 μm to about 1000 μm or about 950 μm to about1000 μm.

The papermaking additive compositions, method and uses described hereinwill most likely not harm mammals or the environment and arenon-phytotoxic and can be safely applied to a paper making process.Furthermore, the papermaking additive compositions, method and usesdescribed herein can be used indoors and outdoors and will not soften,dissolve, or otherwise adversely affect treated surfaces.

Aspects of the present specification can also be described as follows:

-   -   1. A method of separating fibers from a pulp, the method        comprising applying an effective amount of a papermaking        additive composition to the pulp during a pulping and/or a paper        production phase, wherein the application results in increased        separation of cellulose fibers from raw materials present in the        pulp, the composition comprising a treated, fermented microbial        supernatant and one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the        composition lacks any active enzymes or live bacteria, and        wherein the composition has a pH of at most 5.0.    -   2. A method of removing one or more impurities and/or one or        more contaminates from a pulp and/or a paper material, the        method comprising applying an effective amount of a papermaking        additive composition to the pulp during a pulping and/or a paper        production phase, wherein the application results in removal of        the one or more impurities and/or the one or more contaminates        from the pulp and/or paper material, the composition comprising        a treated, fermented microbial supernatant and one or more        nonionic surfactants, wherein the composition lacks any active        enzymes or live bacteria, and wherein the composition has a pH        of at most 5.0.    -   3. A method of removing an ink from a pulp and/or a paper        material, the method comprising applying an effective amount of        a papermaking additive composition to the pulp during a pulping        and/or a paper production phase, wherein the application results        in removal of the ink from the pulp and/or paper material, the        composition comprising a treated, fermented microbial        supernatant and one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the        composition lacks any active enzymes or live bacteria, and        wherein the composition has a pH of at most 5.0.    -   4. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition for separating fibers from a pulp slurry, wherein        the composition comprises a treated, fermented microbial        supernatant and one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the        composition lacks any active enzymes or live bacteria, and        wherein the composition has a pH of at most 5.0.    -   5. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition for removing one or more impurities and/or one or        more contaminates from a pulp and/or a paper material, wherein        the composition comprises a treated, fermented microbial        supernatant and one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the        composition lacks any active enzymes or live bacteria, and        wherein the composition has a pH of at most 5.0.    -   6. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition for removing ink from a pulp and/or a paper        material, wherein the composition comprises a treated, fermented        microbial supernatant and one or more nonionic surfactants,        wherein the composition lacks any active enzymes or live        bacteria, and wherein the composition has a pH of at most 5.0.    -   7. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or use according to        embodiments 4-6, wherein the treated, fermented microbial        supernatant is from a fermented yeast supernatant, a fermented        bacterial supernatant, a fermented mold supernatant, or any        combination thereof.    -   8. The method or use according to embodiment 6, wherein the        fermented yeast supernatant is produced from a species of yeast        belonging to the genera Brettanomyces, Candida, Cyberlindnera,        Cystofilobasidium, Debaryomyces, Dekkera, Fusarium, Geotrichum,        Issatchenkia, Kazachstania, Kloeckera, Kluyveromyces,        Lecanicillium, Mucor, Neurospora, Pediococcus, Penicillium,        Pichia, Rhizopus, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces,        Schizosaccharomyces, Thrichosporon, Torulaspora, Torulopsis,        Verticillium, Yarrowia, Zygosaccharomyces or Zygotorulaspora.    -   9. The method or use according to embodiment 6, wherein the        fermented yeast supernatant is produced from the yeast        Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    -   10. The method or use according to embodiment 6, wherein the        fermented bacterial supernatant is produced from a species of        bacteria belonging to the genera Acetobacter, Arthrobacter,        Aerococcus, Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Brachybacterium,        Brevibacterium, Barnobacterium, Carnobacterium, Corynebacterium,        Enterococcus, Escherichia, Gluconacetobacter, Gluconobacter,        Hafnia, Halomonas, Kocuria, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus,        Leuconostoc, Macrococcus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus,        Neisseria, Oenococcus, Pediococcus, Propionibacterium, Proteus,        Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, Salmonella, Sporolactobacillus,        Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Streptomyces, Tetragenococcus,        Vagococcus, Weissells or Zymomonas.    -   11. The method or use according to embodiment 6, wherein the        fermented bacterial supernatant is produced from a species of        bacteria belonging to the genus Aspergillus.    -   12. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-11 or use        according to embodiments 4-11, wherein the papermaking additive        composition comprises at least 35% by weight of the treated        fermented microbial supernatant.    -   13. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-12 or use        according to embodiments 4-12, wherein the papermaking additive        composition comprises at most 50% by weight of the treated        fermented microbial supernatant.    -   14. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-13 or use        according to embodiments 4-13, wherein the nonionic surfactant        comprises a polyether nonionic surfactant, a polyhydroxyl        nonionic surfactant, and/or a nonionic biosurfactant.    -   15. The method or use according to embodiment 14, wherein the        polyhydroxyl nonionic surfactant comprising a sucrose ester, an        ethoxylated sucrose ester, a sorbital ester, an ethoxylated        sorbital ester, an alkyl glucoside, an ethoxylated alkyl        glucoside, a polyglycerol ester, or an ethoxylated polyglycerol        ester.    -   16. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-15 or use        according to embodiments 4-15, wherein the nonionic surfactant        comprises an amine oxide, an ethoxylated alcohol, an ethoxylated        aliphatic alcohol, an alkylamine, an ethoxylated alkylamine, an        ethoxylated alkyl phenol, an alkyl polysaccharide, an        ethoxylated alkyl polysaccharide, an ethoxylated fatty acid, an        ethoxylated fatty alcohol, or an ethoxylated fatty amine, or a        nonionic surfactant having the general formula of        H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC₆H₄R¹, H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OR², or        H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC(O)R², wherein x represents the number of moles        of ethylene oxide added to an alkyl phenol and/or a fatty        alcohol or a fatty acid, R¹ represents a long chain alkyl group        and, R² represents a long chain aliphatic group.    -   17. The method or use according to embodiment 16, wherein R¹ is        a C₇-C₁₀ normal-alkyl group and/or wherein R² is a C₁₂-C₂₀        aliphatic group.    -   18. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-17 or use        according to embodiments 4-17, wherein the nonionic surfactant        is an ethoxylated nonyl phenol, an ethoxylated octyl phenol, an        ethoxylated ceto-oleyl alcohol, an ethoxylated ceto-stearyl        alcohol, an ethoxylated decyl alcohol, an ethoxylated dodecyl        alcohol, an ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol, or an ethoxylated        castor oil.    -   19. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-18 or use        according to embodiments 4-18, wherein the papermaking additive        composition comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight of        the one or more nonionic surfactants.    -   20. The method according to embodiment 19, wherein the        papermaking additive composition comprises from about 5% to        about 13% by weight of the one or more nonionic surfactants.    -   21. The method according to embodiment 20, wherein the        papermaking additive composition comprises from about 7% to        about 11% by weight of the one or more nonionic surfactants.    -   22. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-21 or use        according to embodiments 4-21, wherein the papermaking additive        composition further comprises one or more anionic surfactants.    -   23. The method or use according to embodiment 22, wherein the        papermaking additive composition comprises from about 0.5% to        about 10% by weight of the one or more anionic surfactants.    -   24. The method or use according to embodiment 23, wherein the        papermaking additive composition comprises from about 1% to        about 8% by weight of the one or more anionic surfactants.    -   25. The method or use according to embodiment 24, wherein the        papermaking additive composition comprises from about 2% to        about 6% by weight of the one or more anionic surfactants.    -   26. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-25 or use        according to embodiments 4-25, wherein the pH is at most 4.5.    -   27. The method or use according to embodiment 26, wherein the pH        about 3.7 to about 4.2.    -   28. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-27 or use        according to embodiments 4-27, wherein the papermaking additive        composition is substantially non-toxic to humans, mammals,        plants and the environment.    -   29. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-28 or use        according to embodiments 4-28, wherein the papermaking additive        composition is biodegradable.    -   30. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-29 or use        according to embodiments 4-29, further comprising applying an        enzymatic composition comprising an enzyme that digests lignin,        boosts bleaching, increases deinking, modifies cellulose fiber        structure, increases effluent control, removes pitch and        stickies (adhesives) and modifies starch.    -   31. The method or use according to embodiment 30, wherein the        enzyme is a cellulase, a xylanase, a lipase, an esterase, an        amylase, a pectinase, a catalase, a laccase, a peroxidase, a        pulpase DI, a pulpase RF and a pulpase BL.    -   32. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-31 or use        according to embodiments 4-31, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a high pulp        yield.    -   33. The method or use according to embodiment 32, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a pulp yield of about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%,        about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about        91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%,        about 97%, about 98% or about 99%; or at least 70%, at least        75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at        least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least        92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at        least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%; or at most 70%, at most        75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most        88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most        93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most        98% or at most 99%; or about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to        about 85%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 95%, about        70% to about 99%, about 75% to about 85%, about 75% to about        90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80%        to about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%,        about 85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to        about 97%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about        90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 97%, about 90% to about        99%, about 93% to about 95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93%        to about 99%, about 95% to about 97% or about 95% to about 99%.    -   34. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-33 or use        according to embodiments 4-33, resulting in a high pulp yield.    -   35. The method or use according to embodiment 34, resulting in a        pulp yield of about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about        86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%,        about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about        97%, about 98% or about 99%; or at least 70%, at least 75%, at        least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least        88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at        least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least        97%, at least 98% or at least 99%; or at most 70%, at most 75%,        at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%,        at most 89%, at most 90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%,        at most 94%, at most 95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98%        or at most 99%; or about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about        85%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70%        to about 99%, about 75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 90%,        about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80% to        about 90%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about        85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about        97%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90%        to about 95%, about 90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%,        about 93% to about 95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to        about 99%, about 95% to about 97% or about 95% to about 99%.    -   36. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-35 or use        according to embodiments 4-35, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a high        alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp.    -   37. The method or use according to embodiment 36, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in an alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about        70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%,        about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about        93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or        about 99%; or at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least        85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at        least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least        94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or        at least 99%; or at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most        85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most        90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most        95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%; or        about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to        about 90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about        75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about        95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80%        to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%,        about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to        about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about        90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about        95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95%        to about 97% or about 95% to about 99%.    -   38. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-37 or use        according to embodiments 4-37, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a low        beta-cellulose content of the processed pulp.    -   39. The method or use according to embodiment 38, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a beta-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about 5%,        about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about        35%; or at most 5%, at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at        most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%; or about 5% to about 10%,        about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about        25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to        about 15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about        10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about        20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15%        to about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%,        about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% to        about 35% or about 30% to about 35%.    -   40. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-39 or use        according to embodiments 4-39, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a low        gamma-cellulose content of the processed pulp.    -   41. The method or use according to embodiment 40, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a gamma-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about 5%,        about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about        35%; or at most 5%, at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at        most 25%, at most 30% or at most 35%; or about 5% to about 10%,        about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about        25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to        about 15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about        10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about        20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15%        to about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%,        about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% to        about 35% or about 30% to about 35%.    -   42. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-41 or use        according to embodiments 4-41, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a high viscosity        of the processed pulp.    -   43. The method or use according to embodiment 42, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a viscosity of the processed pulp of about 5 mPa·s, about 10        mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s, about 30        mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s, about 45 mPa·s or about        50 mPa·s; or at least 5 mPa·s, at least 10 mPa·s, at least 15        mPa·s, at least mPa·s, at least 25 mPa·s, at least 30 mPa·s, at        least 35 mPa·s, at least 40 mPa·s, at least 45 mPa·s or at least        50 mPa·s; or at most 5 mPa·s, at most 10 mPa·s, at most 15        mPa·s, at most 20 mPa·s, at most 25 mPa·s, at most 30 mPa·s, at        most 35 mPa·s, at most 40 mPa·s, at most 45 mPa·s or at most        mPa·s; or about 5 mPa·s to about 10 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to        about 15 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s        to about 25 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 5        mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about        5 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s,        about 10 mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 20        mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about        30 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to        about 40 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s        to about 50 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 15        mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about        15 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s,        about 15 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 50        mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about        30 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to        about 40 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s        to about 50 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 25        mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about        25 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s,        about 30 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 40        mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about        50 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to        about 45 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s        to about 45 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s or about 45        mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s.    -   44. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-43 or use        according to embodiments 4-43, resulting in a high        alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp.    -   45. The method or use according to embodiment 44, resulting in        an alpha-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about 70%,        about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about        88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%,        about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or about        99%; or at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,        at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least        90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at        least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least        99%; or at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at        most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at        most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at        most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%; or about 70%        to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%,        about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to        about 85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about        75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about        95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%, about 85%        to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to about 99%,        about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to        about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about 95%, about        93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about 97%        or about 95% to about 99%.    -   46. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-45 or use        according to embodiments 4-45, resulting in a low beta-cellulose        content of the processed pulp.    -   47. The method or use according to embodiment 46, resulting in a        beta-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about 5%, about        10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%; or        at most 5%, at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%,        at most 30% or at most 35%; or about 5% to about 10%, about 5%        to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%,        about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to about        15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10%        to about 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about 20%,        about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to        about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about        20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% to about 35%        or about 30% to about 35%.    -   48. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-47 or use        according to embodiments 4-47, resulting in a low        gamma-cellulose content of the processed pulp.    -   49. The method or use according to embodiment 48, resulting in a        gamma-cellulose content of the processed pulp of about 5%, about        10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30% or about 35%; or        at most 5%, at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%,        at most 30% or at most 35%; or about 5% to about 10%, about 5%        to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%,        about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 35%, about 10% to about        15%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10%        to about 30%, about 10% to about 35%, about 15% to about 20%,        about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to        about 35%, about 20% to about 25%, about 20% to about 30%, about        20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, about 25% to about 35%        or about 30% to about 35%.    -   50. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-49 or use        according to embodiments 4-49, resulting in a high viscosity of        the processed pulp.    -   51. The method or use according to embodiment 50, resulting in a        viscosity of the processed pulp of about mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s,        about 15 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s,        about mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s, about 45 mPa·s or about 50 mPa·s;        or at least 5 mPa·s, at least 10 mPa·s, at least 15 mPa·s, at        least 20 mPa·s, at least 25 mPa·s, at least 30 mPa·s, at least        35 mPa·s, at least mPa·s, at least 45 mPa·s or at least 50        mPa·s; or at most 5 mPa·s, at most 10 mPa·s, at most 15 mPa·s,        at most 20 mPa·s, at most 25 mPa·s, at most 30 mPa·s, at most 35        mPa·s, at most 40 mPa·s, at most 45 mPa·s or at most 50 mPa·s;        or about 5 mPa·s to about 10 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about        mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about        25 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to        about 35 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s        to about 45 mPa·s, about 5 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 10        mPa·s to about 15 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about        10 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s,        about 10 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 40        mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 10 mPa·s to about        50 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 20 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to        about 25 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s        to about 35 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 15        mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 15 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about        20 mPa·s to about 25 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s,        about 20 mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 40        mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 20 mPa·s to about        50 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 30 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to        about 35 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s        to about 45 mPa·s, about 25 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 30        mPa·s to about 35 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about        30 mPa·s to about 45 mPa·s, about 30 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s,        about 35 mPa·s to about 40 mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 45        mPa·s, about 35 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s to about        45 mPa·s, about 40 mPa·s to about 50 mPa·s or about 45 mPa·s to        about 50 mPa·s.    -   52. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-51 or use        according to embodiments 4-51, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a low lignin        content of the processed pulp.    -   53. The method or use according to embodiment 52, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a lignin content of the processed pulp with a Kappa number of        about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about        35, about 40, about or about 50; or at least 5, at least 10, at        least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at        least 40, at least 45 or at least or at most 5, at most 10, at        most 15, at most 20, at most 25, at most 30, at most 35, at most        40, at most 45 or at most 50; or about 5 to about 10, about 5 to        about 15, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 25, about 5 to        about 30, about 5 to about 35, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to        about 45, about 5 to about 50, about 10 to about 15, about 10 to        about 20, about 10 to about 25, about 10 to about 30, about 10        to about 35, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 45, about        10 to about 50, about 15 to about 20, about 15 to about 25,        about 15 to about 30, about 15 to about 35, about 15 to about        40, about to about 45, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about        25, about 20 to about 30, about 20 to about about 20 to about        40, about 20 to about 45, about 20 to about 50, about 25 to        about 30, about 25 to about 35, about 25 to about 40, about 25        to about 45, about 25 to about 50, about 30 to about 35, about        30 to about 40, about 30 to about 45, about 30 to about 50,        about 35 to about 40, about 35 to about 45, about 35 to about        50, about 40 to about 45, about 40 to about 50 or about 45 to        about 50.    -   54. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-53 or use        according to embodiments 4-53, resulting in a low lignin content        of the processed pulp.    -   55. The method or use according to embodiment 54, resulting in a        lignin content of the processed pulp with a Kappa number of        about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about        35, about 40, about or about 50; or at least 5, at least 10, at        least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at        least 40, at least 45 or at least 50; or at most 5, at most 10,        at most 15, at most 20, at most 25, at most 30, at most 35, at        most 40, at most 45 or at most 50; or about 5 to about 10, about        5 to about 15, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 25, about 5        to about 30, about 5 to about 35, about 5 to about about 5 to        about 45, about 5 to about 50, about 10 to about 15, about 10 to        about 20, about 10 to about 25, about 10 to about 30, about 10        to about 35, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 45, about        to about 50, about 15 to about 20, about 15 to about 25, about        15 to about 30, about 15 to about about 15 to about 40, about 15        to about 45, about 15 to about 50, about 20 to about 25, about        20 to about 30, about 20 to about 35, about 20 to about 40,        about 20 to about 45, about 20 to about 50, about 25 to about        30, about 25 to about 35, about 25 to about 40, about 25 to        about 45, about 25 to about 50, about 30 to about 35, about 30        to about 40, about 30 to about 45, about 30 to about 50, about        to about 40, about 35 to about 45, about 35 to about 50, about        40 to about 45, about 40 to about 50 or about 45 to about 50.    -   56. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-55 or use        according to embodiments 4-55, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in low impurities        content of the processed pulp.    -   57. The method or use according to embodiment 56, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a low impurities content of the processed pulp with a copper        number of about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about 1.25, about        1.5, about 1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75,        about 3.0, about 3.25, about 3.5, about 3.75, about 4.0, about        4.25, about 4.5, about 4.75, about 5.0, about 5.25, about 5.5,        about 5.75, about 6.0, about 6.25, about 6.5, about 6.75 or        about 7.0; or at least 0.5, at least 0.75, at least 1.0, at        least 1.25, at least 1.5, at least 1.75, at least 2.0, at least        2.25, at least 2.5, at least 2.75, at least 3.0, at least 3.25,        at least 3.5, at least 3.75, at least 4.0, at least 4.25, at        least 4.5, at least 4.75, at least 5.0, at least 5.25, at least        5.5, at least 5.75, at least 6.0, at least 6.25, at least 6.5,        at least 6.75 or at least 7.0; or at most 0.5, at most 0.75, at        most 1.0, at most 1.25, at most 1.5, at most 1.75, at most 2.0,        at most 2.25, at most 2.5, at most 2.75, at most 3.0, at most        3.25, at most 3.5, at most 3.75, at most 4.0, at most 4.25, at        most 4.5, at most 4.75, at most 5.0, at most 5.25, at most 5.5,        at most 5.75, at most 6.0, at most 6.25, at most 6.5, at most        6.75 or at most 7.0; or about 0.5 to about 1.0, about 0.5 to        about 2.0, about 0.5 to about 3.0, about 0.5 to about 4.0, about        0.5 to about 5.0, about 0.5 to about 6.0, about 0.5 to about        7.0, about 0.75 to about 1.0, about to about 2.0, about 0.75 to        about 3.0, about 0.75 to about 4.0, about 0.75 to about 5.0,        about 0.75 to about 6.0, about 0.75 to about 7.0, about 1.0 to        about 2.0, about 1.0 to about 3.0, about 1.0 to about 4.0, about        1.0 to about 5.0, about 1.0 to about 6.0, about 1.0 to about        7.0, about 1.25 to about 2.0, about 1.25 to about 3.0, about        1.25 to about 4.0, about 1.25 to about 5.0, about 1.25 to about        6.0, about 1.25 to about 7.0, about 1.5 to about 2.0, about 1.5        to about 3.0, about 1.5 to about 4.0, about 1.5 to about 5.0,        about 1.5 to about 6.0, about 1.5 to about 7.0, about 1.75 to        about 2.0, about 1.75 to about 3.0, about 1.75 to about 4.0,        about 1.75 to about 5.0, about 1.75 to about 6.0, about 1.75 to        about 7.0, about 2 to about 3.0, about 2 to about 4.0, about 2        to about 5.0, about 2 to about 6.0 or about 2 to about 7.0.    -   58. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-57 or use        according to embodiments 4-57, resulting in low impurities        content of the processed pulp.    -   59. The method or use according to embodiment 58, resulting in a        low impurities content of the processed pulp with a copper        number of about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about 1.25, about        1.5, about 1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75,        about 3.0, about 3.25, about 3.5, about 3.75, about 4.0, about        4.25, about 4.5, about 4.75, about 5.0, about 5.25, about 5.5,        about 5.75, about 6.0, about 6.25, about 6.5, about 6.75 or        about 7.0; or at least 0.5, at least 0.75, at least 1.0, at        least 1.25, at least 1.5, at least 1.75, at least 2.0, at least        2.25, at least 2.5, at least 2.75, at least 3.0, at least 3.25,        at least 3.5, at least 3.75, at least 4.0, at least 4.25, at        least 4.5, at least 4.75, at least 5.0, at least 5.25, at least        5.5, at least at least 6.0, at least 6.25, at least 6.5, at        least 6.75 or at least 7.0; or at most 0.5, at most 0.75, at        most 1.0, at most 1.25, at most 1.5, at most 1.75, at most 2.0,        at most 2.25, at most 2.5, at most 2.75, at most 3.0, at most        3.25, at most 3.5, at most 3.75, at most 4.0, at most 4.25, at        most 4.5, at most 4.75, at most 5.0, at most 5.25, at most 5.5,        at most 5.75, at most 6.0, at most 6.25, at most 6.5, at most        6.75 or at most 7.0; or about 0.5 to about 1.0, about 0.5 to        about 2.0, about 0.5 to about 3.0, about to about 4.0, about 0.5        to about 5.0, about 0.5 to about 6.0, about 0.5 to about 7.0,        about 0.75 to about 1.0, about 0.75 to about 2.0, about 0.75 to        about 3.0, about 0.75 to about 4.0, about 0.75 to about about        0.75 to about 6.0, about 0.75 to about 7.0, about 1.0 to about        2.0, about 1.0 to about 3.0, about 1.0 to about 4.0, about 1.0        to about 5.0, about 1.0 to about 6.0, about 1.0 to about 7.0,        about 1.25 to about 2.0, about 1.25 to about 3.0, about 1.25 to        about 4.0, about 1.25 to about 5.0, about 1.25 to about 6.0,        about 1.25 to about 7.0, about 1.5 to about 2.0, about 1.5 to        about 3.0, about 1.5 to about 4.0, about 1.5 to about 5.0, about        1.5 to about 6.0, about 1.5 to about 7.0, about 1.75 to about        2.0, about 1.75 to about 3.0, about 1.75 to about 4.0, about        1.75 to about 5.0, about 1.75 to about 6.0, about 1.75 to about        7.0, about 2 to about 3.0, about 2 to about 4.0, about 2 to        about 5.0, about 2 to about 6.0 or about 2 to about 7.0.    -   60. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-59 or use        according to embodiments 4-59, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a high carboxyl        content of the processed pulp.    -   61. The method or use according to embodiment 60, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a carboxyl content of the processed pulp about 4 meq/100 g        pulp, about 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp, about        5.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp, about 6.5 meq/100 g        pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 8        meq/100 g pulp, about 8.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 9 meq/100 g        pulp, about 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or about 10 meq/100 g pulp; or at        least 4 meq/100 g pulp, at least 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 5        meq/100 g pulp, at least 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 6 meq/100        g pulp, at least 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 7 meq/100 g pulp,        at least 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 8 meq/100 g pulp, at least        8.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9.5        meq/100 g pulp or at least 10 meq/100 g pulp; or at most 4        meq/100 g pulp, at most 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 5 meq/100 g        pulp, at most 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 6 meq/100 g pulp, at        most 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7.5        meq/100 g pulp, at most 8 meq/100 g pulp, at most 8.5 meq/100 g        pulp, at most 9 meq/100 g pulp, at most 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or at        most 10 meq/100 g pulp; or about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 5        meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g        pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 4        meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp        to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g        pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 5        meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp        to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g        pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 6        meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp        to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 8        meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g        pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 8        meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp        to about 10 meq/100 g pulp or about 9 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp.    -   62. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-61 or use        according to embodiments 4-61, resulting in a high carboxyl        content of the processed pulp.    -   63. The method or use according to embodiment 62, resulting in a        carboxyl content of the processed pulp about 4 meq/100 g pulp,        about 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp, about 5.5        meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp, about 6.5 meq/100 g        pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 8        meq/100 g pulp, about 8.5 meq/100 g pulp, about 9 meq/100 g        pulp, about 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or about 10 meq/100 g pulp; or at        least 4 meq/100 g pulp, at least 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 5        meq/100 g pulp, at least 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 6 meq/100        g pulp, at least 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 7 meq/100 g pulp,        at least 7.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 8 meq/100 g pulp, at least        8.5 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9 meq/100 g pulp, at least 9.5        meq/100 g pulp or at least 10 meq/100 g pulp; or at most 4        meq/100 g pulp, at most 4.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 5 meq/100 g        pulp, at most 5.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 6 meq/100 g pulp, at        most 6.5 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7 meq/100 g pulp, at most 7.5        meq/100 g pulp, at most 8 meq/100 g pulp, at most 8.5 meq/100 g        pulp, at most 9 meq/100 g pulp, at most 9.5 meq/100 g pulp or at        most 10 meq/100 g pulp; or about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 5        meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g        pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 4        meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp        to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 4 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 6 meq/100 g        pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g pulp, about 5        meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp        to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 5 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 7 meq/100 g        pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp to about 8 meq/100 g pulp, about 6        meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 6 meq/100 g pulp        to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 8        meq/100 g pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g        pulp, about 7 meq/100 g pulp to about 10 meq/100 g pulp, about 8        meq/100 g pulp to about 9 meq/100 g pulp, about 8 meq/100 g pulp        to about 10 meq/100 g pulp or about 9 meq/100 g pulp to about 10        meq/100 g pulp.    -   64. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-63 or use        according to embodiments 4-63, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a high        brightness of the processed pulp or paper material.    -   65. The method or use according to embodiment 64, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in a brightness of the processed pulp or paper material about        70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%,        about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about        93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or        about 99%; or at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least        85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at        least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least        94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or        at least 99%; or at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most        85%, at most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most        90%, at most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most        95%, at most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%; or        about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to        about 90%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about        75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about        95%, about 75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80%        to about 95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%,        about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to        about 99%, about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about        90% to about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about        95%, about 93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95%        to about 97% or about 95% to about 99%.    -   66. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-65 or use        according to embodiments 4-65, resulting in a high brightness of        the processed pulp or paper material.    -   67. The method or use according to embodiment 66, resulting in a        brightness of the processed pulp or paper material about 70%,        about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about        88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%,        about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98% or about        99%; or at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,        at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least        90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at        least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least        99%; or at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at        most 86%, at most 87%, at most 88%, at most 89%, at most 90%, at        most 91%, at most 92%, at most 93%, at most 94%, at most 95%, at        most 96%, at most 97%, at most 98% or at most 99%; or about 70%        to about 80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%,        about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 99%, about 75% to        about 85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about        75% to about 99%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about        95%, about 80% to about 99%, about 85% to about 93%, about 85%        to about 95%, about 85% to about 97%, about 85% to about 99%,        about 90% to about 93%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to        about 97%, about 90% to about 99%, about 93% to about 95%, about        93% to about 97%, about 93% to about 99%, about 95% to about 97%        or about 95% to about 99%.    -   68. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-67 or use        according to embodiments 4-67, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition results in a low        extractives content of the processed pulp or paper material.    -   69. The method or use according to embodiment 68, wherein the        effective amount of the papermaking additive composition results        in an extractives content of the processed pulp or paper        material of about about 0.02%, about 0.03%, about 0.04%, about        0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about about 0.09%, about        0.1c/o, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about        0.6%, about about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about        3%, about 4% or about 5%; or at most at most 0.02%, at most        0.03%, at most 0.04%, at most 0.05%, at most 0.06%, at most        0.07%, at most 0.08%, at most 0.09%, at most 0.1%, at most 0.2%,        at most 0.3%, at most 0.4%, at most 0.5%, at most 0.6%, at most        0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most 0.9%, at most 1%, at most 2%, at        most 3%, at most 4% or at most 5%; or about 0.001% to about        0.005%, about 0.001% to about 0.01%, about 0.001% to about        0.05%, about 0.001% to about 0.1%, about 0.001% to about 0.5%,        about 0.001% to about 1%, about 0.001% to about 5%, about 0.005%        to about 0.01%, about 0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% to        about 0.1%, about 0.005% to about 0.5%, about 0.005% to about        1%, about 0.005% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 0.05%, about        0.01% to about 0.1%, about 0.01% to about 0.5%, about 0.01% to        about 1%, about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%,        about 0.05% to about 0.5%, about to about 1%, about 0.05% to        about 5%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 1%,        about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5% to        about 5% or about 1% to about 5%.    -   70. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-69 or use        according to embodiments 4-69, resulting in a low extractives        content of the processed pulp or paper material.    -   71. The method or use according to embodiment 70, resulting in        an extractives content of the processed pulp or paper material        of about 0.01%, about 0.02%, about 0.03%, about 0.04%, about        0.05%, about about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, about 0.1%,        about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%,        about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about        3%, about 4% or about 5%; or at most 0.01%, at most 0.02%, at        most 0.03%, at most 0.04%, at most 0.05%, at most 0.06%, at most        0.07%, at most 0.08%, at most 0.09%, at most 0.1%, at most 0.2%,        at most 0.3%, at most 0.4%, at most 0.5%, at most 0.6%, at most        0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most 0.9%, at most 1%, at most 2%, at        most 3%, at most 4% or at most 5%; or about 0.001% to about        0.005%, about 0.001% to about 0.01%, about 0.001% to about        0.05%, about 0.001% to about 0.1%, about 0.001% to about 0.5%,        about 0.001% to about 1%, about 0.001% to about 5%, about 0.005%        to about 0.01%, about 0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% to        about 0.1%, about 0.005% to about 0.5%, about 0.005% to about        1%, about 0.005% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 0.05%, about        0.01% to about 0.1%, about 0.01% to about 0.5%, about 0.01% to        about 1%, about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%,        about to about 0.5%, about 0.05% to about 1%, about 0.05% to        about 5%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 1%,        about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5% to        about 5% or about 1% to about 5%.    -   72. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-71 or use        according to embodiments 4-71, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition is a papermaking additive        composition:dilutant ratio of about 1:50, about 1:75, about        1:100, about 1:125, about 1:150, about 1:175, about 1:200, about        1:225, about 1:250, about 1:275, about 1:300, about 1:325, about        1:350, about 1:375, about 1:400, about 1:425, about 1:450, about        1:475, about 1:500, about 1:525, about 1:550, about 1:575 or        about 1:600; or at least 1:50, at least 1:75, at least 1:100, at        least 1:125, at least 1:150, at least 1:175, at least 1:200, at        least 1:225, at least 1:250, at least 1:275, at least 1:300, at        least 1:325, at least 1:350, at least 1:375, at least 1:400, at        least 1:425, at least 1:450, at least 1:475, at least 1:500, at        least 1:525, at least 1:550, at least 1:575 or at least 1:600;        or at most 1:50, at most 1:75, at most 1:100, at most 1:125, at        most 1:150, at most 1:175, at most 1:200, at most 1:225, at most        1:250, at most 1:275, at most 1:300, at most 1:325, at most        1:350, at most 1:375, at most 1:400, at most 1:425, at most        1:450, at most 1:475, at most 1:500, at most 1:525, at most        1:550, at most 1:575 or at most 1:600; or about 1:50 to about        1:100, about 1:50 to about 1:200, about 1:50 to about 1:300,        about 1:50 to about 1:400, about 1:50 to about 1:500, about 1:50        to about 1:600, about 1:100 to about 1:200, about 1:100 to about        1:300, about 1:100 to about 1:400, about 1:100 to about 1:500,        about 1:100 to about 1:600, about 1:200 to about 1:300, about        1:200 to about 1:400, about 1:200 to about 1:500, about 1:200 to        about 1:600, about 1:300 to about 1:400, about 1:300 to about        1:500, about 1:300 to about 1:600, about 1:400 to about 1:500,        about 1:400 to about 1:600 or about 1:500 to about 1:600.    -   73. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-71 or use        according to embodiments 4-71, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition is a papermaking additive        composition:dilutant ratio of about 1:500, about 1:750, about        1:1000, about 1:1250, about 1:1500, about 1:1750, about 1:2000,        about 1:2250, about 1:2500, about 1:2750, about 1:3000, about        1:3250, about 1:3500, about 1:3750, about 1:4000, about 1:4250,        about 1:4500, about 1:4750, about 1:5000, about 1:5250, about        1:5500, about 1:5750, about 1:6000 about 1:7000, about 1:8000,        about 1:9000 or about 1:10000; or at least 1:500, at least        1:750, at least 1:1000, at least 1:1250, at least 1:1500, at        least 1:1750, at least 1:2000, at least 1:2250, at least 1:2500,        at least 1:2750, at least 1:3000, at least 1:3250, at least        1:3500, at least 1:3750, at least 1:4000, at least 1:4250, at        least 1:4500, at least 1:4750, at least 1:5000, at least 1:5250,        at least 1:5500, at least 1:5750, at least 1:6000, at least        1:7000, at least 1:8000, at least 1:9000 or at least 1:10000; or        at most 1:500, at most 1:750, at most 1:1000, at most 1:1250, at        most 1:1500, at most 1:1750, at most 1:2000, at most 1:2250, at        most 1:2500, at most 1:2750, at most 1:3000, at most 1:3250, at        most 1:3500, at most 1:3750, at most 1:4000, at most 1:4250, at        most 1:4500, at most 1:4750, at most 1:5000, at most 1:5250, at        most 1:5500, at most 1:5750, at most 1:6000 at most 1:7000, at        most 1:8000, at most 1:9000 or at most 1:10000; or about 1:500        to about 1:1000, about 1:500 to about 1:2000, about 1:500 to        about 1:3000, about 1:500 to about 1:4000, about 1:500 to about        1:5000, about 1:500 to about 1:6000, about 1:500 to about        1:7000, about 1:500 to about 1:8000, about 1:500 to about        1:9000, about 1:500 to about 1:10000, about 1:1000 to about        1:2000, about 1:1000 to about 1:3000, about 1:1000 to about        1:4000, about 1:1000 to about 1:5000, about 1:1000 to about        1:6000, about 1:1000 to about 1:7000, about 1:1000 to about        1:8000, about 1:1000 to about 1:9000, about 1:1000 to about        1:10000, about 1:2000 to about 1:3000, about 1:2000 to about        1:4000, about 1:2000 to about 1:5000, about 1:2000 to about        1:6000, about 1:2000 to about 1:7000, about 1:2000 to about        1:8000, about 1:2000 to about 1:9000, about 1:2000 to about        1:10000, about 1:3000 to about 1:4000, about 1:3000 to about        1:5000, about 1:3000 to about 1:6000, about 1:3000 to about        1:7000, about 1:3000 to about 1:8000, about 1:3000 to about        1:9000, about 1:3000 to about 1:10000, about 1:4000 to about        1:5000, about 1:4000 to about 1:6000, about 1:4000 to about        1:7000, about 1:4000 to about 1:8000, about 1:4000 to about        1:9000, about 1:4000 to about 1:10000, about 1:5000 to about        1:6000, about 1:5000 to about 1:7000, about 1:5000 to about        1:8000, about 1:5000 to about 1:9000, about 1:5000 to about        1:10000, about 1:6000 to about 1:7000, about 1:6000 to about        1:8000, about 1:6000 to about 1:9000, about 1:6000 to about        1:10000, about 1:7000 to about 1:8000, about 1:7000 to about        1:9000, about 1:7000 to about 1:10000, about 1:8000 to about        1:9000, about 1:8000 to about 1:10000 or about 1:9000 to about        1:10000.    -   74. The method according to embodiments 1-3 or 7-73 or use        according to embodiments 4-73, wherein the effective amount of        the papermaking additive composition has a final concentration        of about 0.0001%, about 0.0002%, about 0.0003%, about 0.0004%,        about 0.0005%, about 0.0006%, about 0.0007%, about 0.0008%,        about 0.0009%, about 0.001%, about 0.002%, about 0.003%, about        0.004%, about about 0.006%, about 0.007%, about 0.008%, about        0.009%, about 0.01%, about 0.02%, about 03%, about 0.04%, about        0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, about        about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%,        about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about about 1%, about 2%, about 3%,        about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9% or        about 10%; or at least 0.0001%, at least 0.0002%, at least        0.0003%, at least 0.0004%, at least at least 0.0006%, at least        0.0007%, at least 0.0008%, at least 0.0009%, at least 0.001%, at        least 0.002%, at least 0.003%, at least 0.004%, at least 0.005%,        at least 0.006%, at least 0.007%, at least 0.008%, at least        0.009%, at least 0.01%, at least 0.02%, at least 0.03%, at least        0.04%, at least at least 0.06%, at least 0.07%, at least 0.08%,        at least 0.09%, at least 0.1%, at least 0.2%, at least 0.3%, at        least 0.4%, at least 0.5%, at least 0.6%, at least 0.7%, at        least 0.8%, at least 0.9%, at least 1%, at least 2%, at least        3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least        8%, at least 9% or at least 10%; or at most 0.0001%, at most        0.0002%, at most 0.0003%, at most 0.0004%, at most 0.0005%, at        most 0.0006%, at most 0.0007%, at most 0.0008%, at most 0.0009%,        at most at most 0.002%, at most 0.003%, at most 0.004%, at most        0.005%, at most 0.006%, at most at most 0.008%, at most 0.009%,        at most 0.01%, at most 0.02%, at most 0.03%, at most at most        0.05%, at most 0.06%, at most 0.07%, at most 0.08%, at most        0.09%, at most 0.1%, at most 0.2%, at most 0.3%, at most 0.4%,        at most 0.5%, at most 0.6%, at most 0.7%, at most 0.8%, at most        0.9%, at most 1%, at most 2%, at most 3%, at most 4%, at most        5%, at most 6%, at most 7%, at most 8%, at most 9% or at most        10%; or about 0.0001% to about 0.0005%, about 0.0001% to about        about 0.0001% to about 0.005%, about 0.0001% to about 0.01%,        about 0.0001% to about about 0.0001% to about 0.1%, about        0.0001% to about 0.5%, about 0.0001% to about 1%, about 0.0001%        to about 5%, about 0.0001% to about 10%, about 0.0005% to about        0.001%, about to about 0.005%, about 0.0005% to about 0.01%,        about 0.0005% to about 0.05%, about to about 0.1%, about 0.0005%        to about 0.5%, about 0.0005% to about 1%, about 0.0005% to about        5%, about 0.0005% to about 10%, about 0.001% to about 0.005%,        about 0.001% to about 0.001% to about 0.05%, about 0.001% to        about 0.1%, 0.001% to about 0.5%, 0.001% to about 1%, 0.001% to        about 5%, about 0.001% to about 10%, about 0.005% to about        0.01%, about 0.005% to about 0.05%, about 0.005% to about 0.1%,        about 0.005% to about 0.5%, about 0.005% to about 1%, about        0.005% to about 5%, about 0.005% to about 10%, about 0.01% to        about 0.05%, about 0.01% to about 0.1%, about 0.01% to about        0.5%, about 0.01% to about 1%, about 0.01% to about 5%, about to        about 10%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%, about 0.05% to about 0.5%,        about 0.05% to about 1%, about 0.05% to about 5%, about 0.05% to        about 10%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 1%,        about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 10%, about 0.5% to        about 1%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 10%, about        1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10% or about 5% to about 10%.    -   75. A papermaking additive composition comprising a treated,        fermented microbial supernatant and one or more nonionic        surfactants, wherein the composition lacks any active enzymes or        live bacteria, and wherein the composition has a pH below 5.0.    -   76. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        75, wherein the treated, fermented microbial supernatant is from        a fermented yeast supernatant, a fermented bacterial        supernatant, a fermented mold supernatant, or any combination        thereof.    -   77. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        76, wherein the fermented yeast supernatant is produced from a        species of yeast belonging to the genera Brettanomyces, Candida,        Cyberlindnera, Cystofilobasidium, Debaryomyces, Dekkera,        Fusarium, Geotrichum, Issatchenkia, Kazachstania, Kloeckera,        Kluyveromyces, Lecanicillium, Mucor, Neurospora, Pediococcus,        Penicillium, Pichia, Rhizopus, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula,        Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Thrichosporon, Torulaspora,        Torulopsis, Verticillium, Yarrowia, Zygosaccharomyces or        Zygotorulaspora.    -   78. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        77, wherein the fermented yeast supernatant is produced from the        yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    -   79. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        78, wherein the fermented bacterial supernatant is produced from        a species of bacteria belonging to the genera Acetobacter,        Arthrobacter, Aerococcus, Bacillus, Bifidobacterium,        Brachybacterium, Brevibacterium, Barnobacterium, Carnobacterium,        Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Gluconacetobacter,        Gluconobacter, Hafnia, Halomonas, Kocuria, Lactobacillus,        Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Macrococcus, Microbacterium,        Micrococcus, Neisseria, Oenococcus, Pediococcus,        Propionibacterium, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter,        Salmonella, Sporolactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus,        Streptomyces, Tetragenococcus, Vagococcus, Weissells or        Zymomonas.    -   80. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        79, wherein the fermented bacterial supernatant is produced from        a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Aspergillus.    -   81. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-80, wherein the papermaking additive composition        comprises at least 35% by weight of the treated fermented        microbial supernatant.    -   82. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-81, wherein the papermaking additive composition        comprises at most 50% by weight of the treated fermented        microbial supernatant.    -   83. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-82, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises a        polyether nonionic surfactant, a polyhydroxyl nonionic        surfactant, and/or a biosurfactant.    -   84. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        83, wherein the polyhydroxyl nonionic surfactant comprising a        sucrose ester, an ethoxylated sucrose ester, a sorbital ester,        an ethoxylated sorbital ester, an alkyl glucoside, an        ethoxylated alkyl glucoside, a polyglycerol ester, or an        ethoxylated polyglycerol ester.    -   85. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-84, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an        amine oxide, an ethoxylated alcohol, an ethoxylated aliphatic        alcohol, an alkylamine, an ethoxylated alkylamine, an        ethoxylated alkyl phenol, an alkyl polysaccharide, an        ethoxylated alkyl polysaccharide, an ethoxylated fatty acid, an        ethoxylated fatty alcohol, or an ethoxylated fatty amine, or a        nonionic surfactant having the general formula of        H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC₆H₄R¹, H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OR², or        H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC(O)R², wherein x represents the number of moles        of ethylene oxide added to an alkyl phenol and/or a fatty        alcohol or a fatty acid, R¹ represents a long chain alkyl group        and, R² represents a long chain aliphatic group.    -   86. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        85, wherein R¹ is a C₇-C₁₀ normal-alkyl group and/or wherein R²        is a C₁₂-C₂₀ aliphatic group.    -   87. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-86, wherein the nonionic surfactant is an        ethoxylated nonyl phenol, an ethoxylated octyl phenol, an        ethoxylated ceto-oleyl alcohol, an ethoxylated ceto-stearyl        alcohol, an ethoxylated decyl alcohol, an ethoxylated dodecyl        alcohol, an ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol, or an ethoxylated        castor oil.    -   88. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-87, wherein the papermaking additive composition        comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the one or        more nonionic surfactants.    -   89. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        88, wherein the papermaking additive composition comprises from        about 5% to about 13% by weight of the one or more nonionic        surfactants.    -   90. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        89, wherein the papermaking additive composition comprises from        about 7% to about 11% by weight of the one or more nonionic        surfactants.    -   91. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-90, wherein the papermaking additive composition        further comprises one or more anionic surfactants.    -   92. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        91, wherein the papermaking additive composition comprises from        about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the one or more anionic        surfactants.    -   93. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        92, wherein the papermaking additive composition comprises from        about 1% to about 8% by weight of the one or more anionic        surfactants.    -   94. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        93, wherein the papermaking additive composition comprises from        about 2% to about 6% by weight of the one or more anionic        surfactants.    -   95. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-94, wherein the pH is at most 4.5.    -   96. The papermaking additive composition according to embodiment        95, wherein the pH about 3.7 to about 4.2.    -   97. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-96, wherein the papermaking additive composition        further comprises an antimicrobial.    -   98. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-97, wherein the papermaking additive composition        is substantially non-toxic to humans, mammals, plants and the        environment.    -   99. The papermaking additive composition according to any one of        embodiments 75-98, wherein the papermaking additive composition        is biodegradable.    -   100. The papermaking additive composition according to        embodiments 75-99, wherein the papermaking additive composition        further comprises an enzyme that digests lignin, boosts        bleaching, increases deinking, modifies cellulose fiber        structure, increases effluent control, removes pitch and        stickies (adhesives), modifies starch or any combination        thereof.    -   101. The papermaking additive composition according to        embodiment 100, wherein the enzyme is a cellulase, a xylanase, a        lipase, an esterase, an amylase, a pectinase, a catalase, a        laccase, a peroxidase, a pulpase DI, a pulpase RF, a pulpase BL        or any combination thereof.    -   102. A method of separating fibers from a pulp, the method        comprising applying an effective amount of a papermaking        additive composition as defined in any one of embodiments 75-101        to the pulp during a pulping and/or a paper production phase,        wherein the application results in increased separation of        cellulose fibers from raw materials present in the pulp.    -   103. A method of removing one or more impurities and/or one or        more contaminates from a pulp and/or a paper material, the        method comprising applying an effective amount of a papermaking        additive composition as defined in any one of embodiments 75-101        to the pulp during a pulping and/or a paper production phase,        wherein the application results in removal of the one or more        impurities and/or the one or more contaminates from the pulp        and/or paper material.    -   104. A method of removing an ink from a pulp and/or a paper        material, the method comprising applying an effective amount of        a papermaking additive composition as defined in any one of        embodiments 75-101 to the pulp during a pulping and/or a paper        production phase, wherein the application results in removal of        the ink from the pulp and/or paper material.    -   105. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition as defined in any one of embodiments 75-101 for        separating fibers from a pulp slurry.    -   106. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition as defined in any one of embodiments 75-101 for        removing one or more impurities and/or one or more contaminates        from a pulp and/or a paper material.    -   107. Use of an effective amount of a papermaking additive        composition as defined in any one of embodiments 75-101 for        removing ink from a pulp and/or a paper material.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided for illustrativepurposes only in order to facilitate a more complete understanding ofrepresentative embodiments now contemplated. These examples should notbe construed to limit any of the embodiments described in the presentspecification, including those pertaining to the papermaking additivecompositions, or methods or uses of such papermaking additivecompositions disclosed herein.

Example 1 Preparation of Treated Fermented Yeast Supernatant 1

To prepare a treated fermented yeast supernatant, a fermentationreaction is set up in which about 1,000 L of warm water having atemperature of between about 29° C. to about 38° C. was placed in alarge jacketed mixing kettle. To the water was added about 84.9 kg blackuntreated cane molasses, about 25.2 kg raw cane sugar and about 1.2 kgmagnesium sulfate. The mixture was thoroughly blended, after which about11.4 kg diastatic malt and about 1.2 kg baker's yeast were added andagitated slightly. The mixture is incubated at about 26° C. to about 42°C. for about 3 days, after which the effervescent reaction had subsided,indicating essentially complete fermentation. At the end of thefermentation the yeast fermentation composition is centrifuged to removethe “sludge” formed during the fermentation. The resulting fermentationsupernatant (about 98.59%, by weight) was collected and sterilized byautoclaving. The treated fermented yeast supernatant can then be storedin liquid form for subsequent use. Alternatively, the treated fermentedyeast supernatant can be spray dried by methods known in the art toproduce a dry powder. The dry powder form can also be stored forsubsequent use.

Example 2 Preparation of Treated Fermented Yeast Supernatant 2

To prepare a treated fermented yeast supernatant, a fermentationreaction is set up in which about 1,000 L of warm water having atemperature of between about 29° C. to about 38° C. was placed in alarge jacketed mixing kettle. To the water was added about 42.5 kg blackuntreated cane molasses, about 12.6 kg raw cane sugar and about 1.2 kgmagnesium sulfate. The mixture was thoroughly blended, after which about10.3 kg diastatic malt and about 1.2 kg baker's yeast were added andagitated slightly. The mixture is incubated at about 26° C. to about 42°C. for about 3 days, after which the effervescent reaction had subsided,indicating essentially complete fermentation. At the end of thefermentation the yeast fermentation culture is centrifuged to remove the“sludge” formed during the fermentation. The resulting fermentationyeast supernatant (about 98.59%, by weight) was collected and treated byautoclaving. The treated fermented yeast supernatant can then be storedin liquid form for subsequent use. Alternatively, the treated fermentedyeast supernatant can be spray dried by methods known in the art toproduce a dry powder. The dry powder form can also be stored forsubsequent use.

Example 3 Preparation of Treated Fermented Yeast Supernatant 3

To prepare a treated fermented yeast supernatant, a fermentationreaction is set up in which about 1,000 L of warm water having atemperature of between about 29° C. to about 38° C. was placed in alarge jacketed mixing kettle. To the water was added about 21.3 kg blackuntreated cane molasses, about 6.3 kg raw cane sugar and about 1.2 kgmagnesium sulfate. The mixture was thoroughly blended, after which about9.3 kg diastatic malt and about 1.2 kg baker's yeast were added andagitated slightly. The mixture is incubated at about 26° C. to about 42°C. for about 3 days, after which the effervescent reaction had subsided,indicating essentially complete fermentation. At the end of thefermentation the yeast fermentation culture is centrifuged to remove the“sludge” formed during the fermentation. The resulting fermentationsupernatant (about 98.59%, by weight) was collected and treated byautoclaving. The treated fermented yeast supernatant can then be storedin liquid form for subsequent use. Alternatively, the treated fermentedyeast supernatant can be spray dried by methods known in the art toproduce a dry powder. The dry powder form can also be stored forsubsequent use.

Example 4 Preparation of Papermaking Additive Composition

To prepare a papermaking additive composition, 1,000 L of hot sterilewater (about 60° C. to about 65° C.) was added to 1,000 L of treatedfermented yeast supernatant in a large jacketed mixing kettle. To thismixture was added about 168.8 kg of TERGITOL™ 15-S-7, a linear secondaryalcohol ethoxylate, about 168.8 kg of TERGITOL™ 15-S-5, a linearsecondary alcohol ethoxylate, about 67.5 kg of DOWFAX™ 2A1,alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate, and about 67.5 kg of TRITON™ H-66,phosphate polyether ester. This mixture was thoroughly blended to effectsolution. Water was then added to bring the volume to about 4,500 L andstirred until complete mixing had been obtained. The pH of the resultingpapermaking additive composition was adjusted to from about 3.7 to about4.2 with phosphoric acid. The pH adjusted papermaking additivecomposition was then filter sterilized to remove any microbialcontamination.

The composition was found to be nonirritating to skin tissue, nontoxicand could be stored in a cool location over periods of months withoutany discernible loss in effectiveness or deterioration.

DOWFAX™ 2A1 can be substituted with an anionic biosurfactant such as,e.g., STEPONOL® AM an ammonium lauryl sulfate, STEPONOL® EHS, a sodium2-ethyl hexyl sulfate, or a combination thereof.

Optionally, the resulting papermaking additive composition may then bemixed with preservative or stabilizing agents, such as about 1% byweight sodium benzoate, about 0.01% by weight imidazolidinyl urea, about0.15% by weight diazolidinyl urea, about 0.25% by weight calciumchloride. With continuous agitation, sodium benzoate, imidazolidinylurea, diazolidinyl urea and calcium chloride are added. The temperatureof the mixture is then slowly raised to about 40° C. and the mixture isagitated continuously. The temperature is maintained at about 40° C. forabout one hour to ensure that all the components of the mixture aredissolved. The mixture is then cooled to from about 20° C. to about 25°C. The pH of the resulting papermaking additive composition was adjustedto from about 3.7 to about 4.2 with phosphoric acid. The pH adjustedpapermaking additive composition was then filter sterilized to removeany microbial contamination.

Example 5 Preparation of Papermaking Additive Composition

To prepare a papermaking additive composition, 850 L of hot sterilewater (about 60° C. to about ° C.) was placed in a large jacketed mixingkettle. To the water was added about 7.62 g treated fermented yeastsupernatant dried powder, about 37.5 kg of TERGITOL™ 15-S-7, a linearsecondary alcohol ethoxylate, about 37.5 kg of TERGITOL™ 15-S-5, alinear secondary alcohol ethoxylate, about 15.0 kg of DOWFAX™ 2A1,alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate, and about 25.0 kg of TRITON™ H-66,phosphate polyether ester. This mixture was thoroughly blended to effectsolution. Water was then added to bring the volume to about 1,000 L andstirred until complete mixing had been obtained. The pH of the resultingpapermaking additive composition was adjusted to from about 3.7 to about4.2 with phosphoric acid. The pH adjusted papermaking additivecomposition was then filter sterilized to remove any microbialcontamination.

Optionally, the resulting papermaking additive composition may then bemixed with preservative or stabilizing agents, such as about 1% byweight sodium benzoate, about 0.01% by weight imidazolidinyl urea, about0.15% by weight diazolidinyl urea, about 0.25% by weight calciumchloride. With continuous agitation, sodium benzoate, imidazolidinylurea, diazolidinyl urea and calcium chloride are added. The temperatureof the mixture is then slowly raised to about 40° C. and the mixture isagitated continuously. The temperature is maintained at about 40° C. forabout one hour to ensure that all the components of the mixture aredissolved. The mixture is then cooled to from about 20° C. to about 25°C. The pH of the resulting papermaking additive composition was adjustedto from about 3.7 to about 4.2 with phosphoric acid. The pH adjustedpapermaking additive composition was then filter sterilized to removeany microbial contamination.

The composition was found to be nonirritating to skin tissue, nontoxicand could be stored in a cool location over periods of months withoutany discernible loss in effectiveness or deterioration.

DOWFAX™ 2A1 can be substituted with an anionic biosurfactant such as,e.g., STEPONOL® AM an ammonium lauryl sulfate, STEPONOL® EHS, a sodium2-ethyl hexyl sulfate, or a combination thereof.

As an alternative to the treated fermented yeast supernatant driedpowder disclosed in Examples 1-3, commercially available treatedfermented yeast supernatant dried powders can be used, including, e.g.,TASTONE® 154, TASTONE® 210 or TASTONE® 900.

Example 6 Pulping Experiment

This example shows an increase in the efficiency of a pulping process byapplying a papermaking additive composition as disclosed herein.

Initially, a crude pulp preparation was processed without the additionof a papermaking additive composition in a laboratory minipulper for 45minutes. The crude pulp preparation comprised 17% raw materials. Afterpulping, preparation was assessed for freeness using the CanadianStandard. There was no disintegration of the raw materials, so it wasnot possible to sample or make freeness measurements.

In a subsequent experiment, a 17% crude pulp preparation was processedwith a paper additive composition disclosed herein in a laboratoryminipulper. The amount of a papermaking additive composition added was300 mL per ton of raw material. Samples of this preparation were takenat 10 minutes, 20 minutes and 30 minutes. After pulping, preparation wasassessed for freeness using the Canadian Standard. A time-dependentimprovement in freeness was observed. At 10 minutes pulping althoughtiggering was observed, more contact time was required to achieve betterhomogenization of fibers (FIG. 1A). At 20 minutes pulping, continuedimprovement in tiggering was seen (FIG. 1B), while at 30 minutespulping, excellent homogenization of fibers was observed (FIG. 1C).These results show that a papermaking additive composition disclosedherein significantly improved the pulping process and resulted inexcellent homogenization of fibers.

Subsequent micrographs of fibers treated with a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein show improved internal and externalfibrillation on the fiber surface which leads to increase surface areaand improved ability to form interfiber and intrafiber bonds (FIG. 2 ).

These experiments were repeated using the following concentrations: 30mL papermaking additive composition per ton of raw material, 60 mLpapermaking additive composition per ton of raw material and 400 mLpapermaking additive composition per ton of raw material. Allconcentrations gave results similar to the 300 mL papermaking additivecomposition per ton of raw material concentration.

Example 7 Deinking Experiment

This example shows the effectiveness of a papermaking compositiondisclosed herein to effectively remove ink and adhesives from recycledpaper.

Three groups, each containing 0.8 kg of White 3 broke paper was pulpedin 11.5 liters of clean water using a disintegrator for 60 minutes.Group 1 contained White 3 paper alone and serves as a control. Group 2contained White 3 broke paper and 500 mL of a papermaking additivecomposition disclosed herein per ton of raw material. Group 3 containedWhite 3 broke paper and 500 mL of a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein per ton of raw material and also containing acellulosic enzyme. At 15 minute intervals, a 3.0 g sample was taken fromthe disintegrator and analyzed for brightness using the ISO Brightnessassay. Both samples treated with a papermaking additive compositiondisclosed herein improved the disintegration of the White 3 broke paperand improved brightness by almost 2 points. The Group 3 treatment whichadded the cellulosic enzyme to not result in any appreciable differentin improvement relative to the Group 2 treatment.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular compound,composition, article, apparatus, methodology, protocol, and/or reagent,etc., described herein, unless expressly stated as such. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes,modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions andsub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachingsherein without departing from the spirit of the present specification.It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claimshereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes,modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions andsub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out theinvention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the presentinvention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedembodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by theinvention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the presentinvention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member maybe referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with othergroup members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent aboveand below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity,parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary. For instance, as massspectrometry instruments can vary slightly in determining the mass of agiven analyte, the term “about” in the context of the mass of an ion orthe mass/charge ratio of an ion refers to +/−0.50 atomic mass unit. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalindication should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspectof an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “maynot” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses thatan embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included aspart of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation orexclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that anembodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner,use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect ofan embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment maybe included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such anegative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based onwhether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited inthe claimed subject matter.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth thebroad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical rangesand values set forth in the specific examples are reported as preciselyas possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical rangesof values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate numerical value falling withinthe range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of anumerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if itwere individually recited herein.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context ofdescribing the present invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,”etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between theelements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number ofsuch elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order ofsuch elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the presentinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, theopen-ended transitional term “comprising” (and equivalent open-endedtransitional phrases thereof like including, containing and having)encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, stepsand/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter;the named elements, limitations and/or features are essential, but otherunnamed elements, limitations and/or features may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodimentsdisclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of” in lieu of or as an amended for “comprising.” When usedin the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-endedtransitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation,step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-endedtransitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of aclaim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/orfeatures and any other elements, limitations, steps and/or features thatdo not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of theclaimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitionalphrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all thespecifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features aswell as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of theclosed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined asonly including those elements, limitations, steps and/or featuresspecifically recited in the claim whereas the meaning of theclosed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is beingdefined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/orfeatures specifically recited in the claim and those elements,limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect thebasic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (andequivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within itsmeaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of.” As such embodiments described herein or so claimed withthe phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguouslydescribed, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of.”

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the present invention. These publications are providedsolely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the presentapplication. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admissionthat the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure byvirtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as tothe date or representation as to the contents of these documents isbased on the information available to the applicants and does notconstitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contentsof these documents.

Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely asshown and described.

1. A liquid composition comprising a treated, fermented yeastsupernatant including bio-nutrients, minerals and amino acids, and about1% to about 15% by weight of one or more nonionic ethoxylatedsurfactants, wherein the treated, fermented yeast supernatant isproduced from a culture containing yeast belonging to the genusSaccharomyces; wherein the composition lacks active enzymes contributedby yeast during fermentation due to the treatment; and wherein thecomposition has a pH of about 2.5 to about 5.0.
 2. The liquidcomposition according to claim 1, comprising at least 35% by weight ofthe treated, fermented yeast supernatant.
 3. The liquid compositionaccording to claim 1, comprising at most 95% by weight of the treated,fermented yeast supernatant.
 4. The liquid composition according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactantscomprises an alcohol ethoxylate, an alkylphenol ethoxylate, a fatty acidethoxylate, a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty amine ethoxylate, amonoalkaolamide ethoxylate, a sorbitan ester ethoxylate, an ethyleneoxide-propylene oxide copolymer, or any combination thereof.
 5. Theliquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol ethoxylatecomprises one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates or one or moresecondary alcohol ethoxylates.
 6. The liquid composition according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactantscomprise a general formula of H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC₆H₄R¹, H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OR²,or H(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)OC(O)R², wherein x represents the number of moles ofethylene oxide added to an alcohol, an alkylphenol, a fatty acid, afatty alcohol, a fatty amine, or an monoalkaolamide; R¹ represents along chain alkyl group and, R² represents a long chain aliphatic group.7. The liquid composition according to claim 6, wherein the long chainalkyl group is a C₇-C₁₀ normal-alkyl group and/or wherein the long chainaliphatic group is a C₁₂-C₂₀ aliphatic group.
 8. The liquid compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants is a decyl alcohol ethoxylate, a dodecyl alcohol ethoxylate,a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate, a nonylphenol ethoxylate, an octylphenolethoxylate, a ceto-oleyl alcohol ethoxylate, a ceto-stearyl alcoholethoxylate, or any combination thereof.
 9. The liquid compositionaccording to claim 1, comprising from about 5% to about 13% by weight ofthe one or more ethoxylated nonionic surfactants.
 10. The liquidcomposition according to claim 9, comprising from about 7% to about 11%by weight of the one or more ethoxylated nonionic surfactants.
 11. Theliquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH is at most 4.5.12. The liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the yeast isSaccharomyces cerevisiae.
 13. The liquid composition according to claim1, comprising a treated, fermented Saccharomyces cerevisiae supernatantand about 5% to about 13% by weight of one or more nonionic ethoxylatedsurfactants, the one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactants comprisingan alcohol ethoxylate, an alkylphenol ethoxylate, a fatty acidethoxylate, a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, or any combination thereof. 14.The liquid composition according to claim 13, comprising from about 7%to about 11% by weight of the one or more nonionic surfactants.
 15. Theliquid composition according to claim 13, wherein the alcohol ethoxylatecomprises one or more secondary alcohol ethoxylates.
 16. The liquidcomposition according to claim 13, wherein the one or more ethoxylatednonionic surfactants comprise a decyl alcohol ethoxylate, a dodecylalcohol ethoxylate, a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate, a nonylphenolethoxylate, an octylphenol ethoxylate, a ceto-oleyl alcohol ethoxylate,a ceto-stearyl alcohol ethoxylate, or any combination thereof.
 17. Theliquid composition according to claim 1, comprising a treated, fermentedSaccharomyces cerevisiae supernatant and about 5% to about 13% by weightof one or more nonionic ethoxylated alcohol surfactants, the one or morenonionic ethoxylated alcohol surfactants comprising one or moresecondary alcohol ethoxylates.
 18. The liquid composition according toclaim 1, comprising a treated, fermented Saccharomyces cerevisiaesupernatant and about 5% to about 13% by weight of one or more nonionicethoxylated surfactants, one or more nonionic ethoxylated surfactantscomprising a decyl alcohol ethoxylate, a dodecyl alcohol ethoxylate, atridecyl alcohol ethoxylate, a nonylphenol ethoxylate, an octylphenolethoxylate, a ceto-oleyl alcohol ethoxylate, a ceto-stearyl alcoholethoxylate, or any combination thereof.
 19. A method of separatingfibers from a pulp, the method comprising applying an effective amountof a liquid composition as defined in claim 1 to the pulp during apulping and/or a paper production phase, wherein the application resultsin increased separation of cellulose fibers from raw materials presentin the pulp.
 20. A method of removing ink from a pulp and/or a papermaterial, the method comprising applying an effective amount of apapermaking additive composition as defined in claim 1 to the pulpduring a pulping and/or a paper production phase, wherein theapplication results in removal of the ink from the pulp and/or papermaterial.